Sprocket Sports Endorses Aspen Institute's Children's Bill of Rights in Sports

Sprocket Sports, a modern technology platform for the management and marketing of youth sports clubs, today announced its endorsement of the Children's Bill of Rights in Sports. Developed by the Aspen Institute through its Project Play initiative, along with the aid of human rights and sports policy experts, this new resource is designed to create a shared cultural understanding that all youth should have the opportunity to develop as people through sports.

In conjunction with the endorsement, Sprocket Sports released the following video in its Changing the Game Series: Player Growth: Developing Every Player, which encourages coaches to give equal resources and opportunities to all players.

The Children's Bill of Rights in Sports identifies eight rights:

1. To play sports
2. To safe and healthy environments
3. To qualified program leaders
4. To developmentally appropriate play
5. To share in the planning and delivery of their activities
6. To an equal opportunity for personal growth
7. To be treated with dignity
8. To enjoy themselves

Children from low-income homes are half as likely to play sports as their peers from upper-income homes, according to Sports & Fitness Industry Association data. Costs are a barrier, as is the quality of experience delivered to many youths across the country. In nearly every sport, the average child quits by age 11, according to an Aspen Institute survey commissioned with the Utah State University's Families in Sports Lab. "The Children's Bill of Rights in Sports fills a major gap by defining the baseline experience that every child deserves in the care of adults, aligned with the human rights each of them is born with. It's also a reminder that we need to make room for every child in this country to play sports," said Tom Farrey, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute's Sports & Society Program.

"Our endorsement of the Children's Bill of Rights in Sports is just the first step in our mission to transform youth sports and make organized sports more accessible to all children via Sprocket's fundraising and financial aid modules. Providing a place in sports for all will help shape the next generation, something we proudly support. We also help clubs share training materials with coaches and staff, and keep track of certifications such as SafeSport," said Luke Weaver, Business Development, Sprocket Sports.

Rich Gallun, Sprocket Sports' CEO added, "We are proud to endorse the Children's Bill of Rights in Sports and commend the Aspen Institute for their relentless work to build safer and healthier communities for children. Personally, I learned many life lessons through my participation in youth sports, and that has had a lasting impact on how I view the world. While our initial focus at Sprocket Sports is to provide youth clubs with the best technology platform in the market, our long-term plans go far beyond that, with multiple initiatives to expand access to positive experiences in youth sports."