More Than a Game: What Every Child Deserves in Sports
Written by Joel Flaugher – Upward Sports
The Aspen Institute, through its Project Play initiative, developed the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports to help create a shared understanding of what every child deserves in youth sports. Rather than treating sports as only a path to competition or performance, the framework emphasizes that sports can and should help children grow as people. For churches, ministry leaders, coaches, and families, it offers a clear and compelling vision for building youth sports programs that are safe, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and rooted in the well-being of every child.
The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports was developed with input from human rights and sports policy experts and was designed to address ongoing gaps in both access and quality across youth sports programs. The framework identifies eight core rights, including the right to play sports, experience safe and healthy environments, learn under qualified leaders, be treated with dignity, and enjoy the experience.
How Upward Sports Supports each of the eight points of the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports
1. Play Sports
With guidance from Upward Sports, the local church creates their own programs so more kids can play, grow, and belong. Through community-based leagues, Upward Sports helps remove common barriers that can keep children from participating, whether those barriers involve skill level, experience, confidence, or access. Each child is given a place to play, real opportunities to participate, and a supportive environment where effort, growth, and enjoyment of the sport they want to play matter just as much as skill development.
2. Safe and healthy environments
A sports ministry supported and resourced by Upward Sports can create sports environments where children can learn, grow, and enjoy the game in ways that feel safe, structured, and well supported. When a program is first class, thoughtfully organized, and detailed, families can trust that practices and game days will reflect a genuine commitment to the well-being of every child free from abuse, hazing, violence, and neglect.
3. Qualified program leaders
Upward Sports partners with churches to equip coaches, directors, and volunteers to lead in ways that help children grow both on and off the field. Through encouragement, clear instruction, and Christ-centered example, these leaders shape an experience that builds skills, models character, and helps every child feel seen and supported.
4. Developmentally appropriate play
Churches can foster sports experiences that value each child as a person and honor the reality that children grow and learn at different paces. Upward Sports trains and resources leaders and shape expectations, instruction, and rules for competition around age, maturity, and ability, churches can create a program and an environment that helps children develop mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially.
5. Share in the planning and delivery of their activities
An intentional sports ministry can help children feel known, heard, and included by creating team cultures where their voices are welcomed in age-appropriate ways. When children are invited to ask questions, offer input, and take simple ownership in the experience, they begin to understand that sports can be a place not only for participation, but also for belonging and confidence.
6. An equal opportunity for personal growth
Churches can remind every child that they are each valued as God’s creation and worthy of encouragement, care, and attention. Upward Sports teaches leaders that a healthy sports experience makes room for every participant to grow in confidence, resilience, teamwork, and character.
7. Treated with dignity
Churches can shape sports cultures marked by encouragement, respect, and genuine care for others. Through weekly devotions provided by Upward Sports, coaches reminded each child that their worth is not defined by performance, but by the value they already carry.
8. Enjoy themselves
A well run and properly equipped sports ministry can create positive, intentional sports experiences where fun, friendship, and connection are part of the journey. When children enjoy being with their teammates, feel encouraged by their leaders, and experience joy in the process, they are far more likely to develop both a lasting love for the game and develop as a person.
The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports makes sure children are welcomed, encouraged, and given the chance to grow through play. For churches looking to create a sports ministry that welcomes more kids and makes a lasting impact, Upward Sports offers a proven way to put that vision into action.
Is your church ready to create a first-class, organized, and detailed Upward Sports experience? Visit www.upward.org/church-leaders
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