NEWMEMBER GUIDE

520 8th Ave, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10018 212-563-3031 WWW.UP2US.ORG

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! Dear Sports-Based Youth Development Leader: On behalf of Up2Us, I would like to welcome you and your organization to the Up2Us coalition! You are joining over 700 organizations that are working together to advance sports as a solution to the critical challenges facing youth in America today. Only as a coalition can we best leverage resources to engage millions of children throughout America in organized and youth-development focused athletic programs. Up2Us engages sports-based youth development (SBYD) programs and stakeholders in order to create a common platform to share our success stories and challenges and to advocate for and develop resources that will support the work of your organization. As a member of Up2Us, you will benefit from the work that our staff does every day and the services that we provide. Among our many projects, Up2Us places passionate, highly trained individuals as coaches in programs like yours through Coach Across America. The Up2Us Center conducts studies on the role of sports in fighting childhood obesity and promoting other youth development outcomes in addition to studies on the state of youth sports for members to use in their materials and grants. The Center also provides evaluation tools to help members improve program quality. Furthermore, members like you can save money through access to bulk purchasing vendors, discounted insurance policies, and discounted background checks. Regional and national trainings facilitate peer-to-peer networking among SBYD professionals and leaders. And, we are constantly expanding our agenda in the field of SBYD and the services we provide to you, our member. Again, we welcome you and your organization to Up2Us. As our newest member, please utilize our materials included in this New Member Guide. We look forward to your active participation and the beginnings of an innovative and far-reaching collaboration! Please feel free to reach out to us at any time by emailing membership@up2us.org or calling 212.563.3031.!

Sincerely,

Paul Caccamo Executive Director & Founder, Up2Us

Up2Us is a coalition of more than 700

organizations across the country that believe in

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W E L C O M E T O U P 2 U S !

UP2US SERVICES WILL HELP YOU:

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your workforce

your program quality

your organization

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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T SBUILD

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ADDENDUM

Coach Across America……………………………………………………………….……………….………………............ 5AmeriCorps*VISTA………………………………………………………………………………………………..….……….…... 5Jobs Through Up2Us.....................……………………………………………………………………………................. 6

Research, Reports and Best Practices………………………..…………….…………..……….…………………….. Evaluation.......................................………………………..…………….…………..……….……………………………….. Training………………………..…………….…………..……….….…….………………………..……….………………………….. Service-Learning Curriculum.…..…………..……….….…….………………………..……….…………………………..

PurchasingPoint…………………..…….………..………………………………………………………………………….......... Insurance Services…………………..…….………………………………………….…………………………………………... Background Checks…………………..…….……………………………………..…………………………........................Regional Initiative…………………..…….…………………………………………..…………………………………………....Media Coverage…………………..…….……………………………………………..…………………………………………...

Up2Us Contact InformationPurchasingPoint InstructionsBackground Check DiscountsBest Practice Guide: Corporate EngagementMaking the Case for Youth Sports: Physical Activity and the Brain

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If selected to receive a Coach Across America coach, organizations are re-sponsible for contributing a small portion of the CAA’s living allowance and Up-2Us covers the rest. Additionally, all coaches attend a National Coach Training Institute conducted by the Up2Us Center, where they will receive cutting-edge training from the leading sports-based youth development professionals.

How it Works:΄� CAA works together with member organizations who are selected to

receive coaches and assists them with the training, supervision, and evaluation.

΄� Organizations contribute a monetary “match” or portion of the living allowance, provided to the coach. Up2Us and CNCS or a corporate partner award the rest.

΄� Coach Across America does not select candidates for those organiza-tions awarded a coach. Your organization will be committing to a rigor-^db�_a^PRbb�c^�Ŭ]Q͜�bRZRPc͜�M]Q�caMW]�M�PM]QWQMcR͙��

For more information on hosting a Coach Across America coach, visit the mem-ber resouces section on your dashboard.

AmeriCorps*VISTA members work full time for a year in an organization to build capacity. Up2Us VISTAs support programs that address some of the \^bc�QWűPdZc�_a^OZR\b�SMPW]U�2\RaWPMͭb�h^dcV͙�6MPV�^aUM]WjMcW^]�\dbc�\RRc�M�basic set of guidelines when working with, training and guiding a VISTA.

Examples of common VISTA positions include:΄� Fundraising & Development΄� Volunteer Management΄� Marketing & Communications΄� Evaluation & Outcomes Assessment

Up2Us applies to the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) c^�aRPRWeR��ή�H;EF2b�M]Q�_Mhb�M�bWU]WŬPM]c�_^acW^]�^S�cVRWa�ZWeW]U�MZZ^fM]PR͙��

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AMERICORPS VISTA

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Then, we allocate VISTAs to members according to this process:΄� Winter: Up2Us releases RFP to members to apply for VISTAs΄� Early Spring: Organizations are selected to host a VISTA΄� Summer: Recruiting & Onboarding΄� September: VISTA begins term of service

3R]RŬcb�^S�H;EF2�bRaeWPR͜�_MWQ�Oh�4@4E�M]Q�G_Gb͜�W]PZdQR͛΄� A Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (or post-service stipend)΄� Modest living allowance΄� :RMZcVPMaR�OR]RŬcb�fVWZR�W]�bRaeWPR�΄� Childcare assistance while in service ΄� Student loan forbearance or deferment while in service ΄� One year of noncompetitive status for a federal government job

Through Up2Us’ new online portal, member organizations are able to post job opportunities in SBYD right on our website. These jobs include Coach Across 2\RaWPM�_^bWcW^]b�M]Q�^aUM]WjMcW^]MZ�bcMŪ�_^bWcW^]b͙��3h�_^bcW]U�cVRbR�^__^a-tunities, you’ll increase your access to a larger target audience of SBYD profes-sionals.

To post a job opportunity, visit the job postings center on your dashboard.

JOBS THROUGH UP2US

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The Up2Us Center provides cutting-edge research, training, assessment and advice to bd__^ac�cVR�RŪRPcWeR]Rbb�^S�G_Gb�\R\ORa�organizations. Our work validates the impact of sports-based youth development, while giving organizations the tools and knowledge to increase the impact of their programs.

The Up2Us Center is the nation’s leading researcher and developer of sports-based youth development content. The Center conducts and compiles re-search to validate the positive impact sports have on youth. We’ve composed comprehensive reports on the state of youth sports in America, along with po-sition papers on a wide range of sports-based youth development topics, such as the role of sports in promoting health, education, and pro-social behavior.

Quality Assessment Tool (QAT)The Up2Us Center has developed a Program Quality Assessment Tool intend-ed to serve as a roadmap for evaluating the quality of youth sports programs. It helps coaches, leagues, and program administrators identify the components that are necessary to promote both sport skills, and positive youth develop-ment. Programs that use this tool should also reference the Best Practice Li-brary to ensure their participants have a safe, educational and fun experience.

΄� ERZSMbbRbb\R]c�c^^Z�cMWZ^aRQ�S^a�QWŪRaR]c�ch_Rb�^S�E3K5�_a^UaM\b΄� Indicates which parts of the program are working and which parts could

use improvement

ConsultationFVR�G_Gb�4R]cRa�^ŪRab�^]R^]^]R�P^]bdZcMcW^]�M]Q�MQeWPR�S^a�_a^UaM\b�looking to begin more comprehensive program evaluation.

RESEARCH, REPORTS & BEST PRACTICES

EVALUATION

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Up2Us conducts specialized trainings to teach the components of positive youth development through sports. All of our trainings focus on creating capa-ble, thoughtful youth development practitioners who use sport as the vehicle through which they build strong relationships with youth. We partner with a number of experts to educate our coaches, member organi-zations, and communities on the fundamentals of quality coaching, the compo-nents of youth development, and the challenges and opportunities of working in an urban environment.

FaMW]W]U�AŪRaW]Ub͛�We customize trainings for clients of all kinds. Up2Us pro-vides training in the following topic areas among others:

΄� Foundations of Sports-Based Youth Development΄� Sports-Based Youth Development΄� Trauma-Sensitive Coaching΄� Sports as a Tool for Health and Wellness΄� Sports as a Tool for Violence & Delinquency Prevention΄� Change the Game

TRAINING

Up2Us members have access to Leave Your Mark: Service Learning Kit for Sports Teams, the only sports-oriented service-learning curriculum. This innovative and comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions for coaches and parents to encourage sports teams to help their communities through service.

Up2Us also partners with members to put on Service Days to engage volunteers. Many of these projects occur on National Days of Service, including Global Youth Service Day, 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

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For more information, see the PurchasingPoint section in the Addendum.

PURCHASINGPOINT: BULK PURCHASING

Up2Us has partnered with insurance companies to provide high-quality busi-ness insurances. This service can save you money on insurances and gives you access to a consultation with an expert in business insurance for youth sports organizations. Mike Wagener will work with you to create a comprehen-sive insurance plan that covers you and your program. This free consultation will improve your understanding of the insurances you need and save you time and money on the plan.

For more information, visit the member resources section on your dash-board or email Mike Wagener at mwagener@insurancemgt.com.

Up2Us partners with background check provider First Advantage to bring our \R\ORab�b_RPWMZ�QWbP^d]cRQ�_aWPW]U͙��IR�_dc�c^URcVRa�cf^�_MPYMURb�cVMc�SdZŬZZ�many of the needs of SBYD programs but additional items are available.

For more information, see the Discounted Background Checks section in the Addendum.

INSURANCE SERVICES

DISCOUNTED BACKGROUND CHECKS

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REGIONAL INITIATIVE

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Up2Us reaches out to national and local media sources to continually raise awareness of the work our Coach Across America coaches and member ^aUM]WjMcW^]b�MaR�Q^W]U�W]�cVR�ŬRZQ�^S�E3K5͙�G_Gb�fM]cb�c^�W]PaRMbR�_dOZWP�awareness of the impact your program and other programs are making in the lives of America’s youth.

IR�Y]^f�cVR�f^aY�h^d�MaR�Q^W]U�c^�\MYR�M�QWŪRaR]PR�W]�cVR�ZWeRb�^S�h^dcV�Wb�very important and the pubilc should know about the hard work we’re all do-W]U͙�G_Gb�fM]cb�c^�VRMa�cVR�bc^aWRb�^S�h^d]U�_R^_ZR�fV^�VMeR�ů^daWbVRQ�M]Q�thrived as a result of your hard work and dedication. Submit stories about the amazing work your organization has done to stories@up2us.org.

MEDIA COVERAGE

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C O N T A C T U P 2 U SUP2US HEADQUARTERS520 8th Avenue, 2nd FloorNew York, NY 10018T: 212.563.3031F: 212.563.4046info@up2us.org

UP2US CENTER209 Green St. Boston, MA 02130T: 617.979.9233center@up2us.org

CONTACTS:Up2Us Center center@up2us.orgMembership membership@up2us.orgCoach Across America coachacrossamerica@up2us.org

REGIONAL CONTACTS:German DuBois, Miami Regional Director gdubois@up2us.orgAngela Hucles, Asst. Dir. Membership & Training, LA ahucles@up2us.orgTena Kunik, Chicago Regional Director tkunik@up2us.org Claire Perry, CAA Regional Program Manager, Philadelphia cperry@up2us.orgLuella Williams, New Orleans Regional Director lwilliams@up2us.org

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PURCHASINGPOINT INSTRUCTIONS

WHAT IS PURCHASINGPOINT?

PurchasingPoint and the HealthTrust Purchasing Group is a portal that leverages the power of $20 billion in bulk purchasing. All Up2Us members are eligible to participate and get significant discounts on office supplies and administrative items.

HOW DO I USE IT?

1. Create an account

• Navigate to: www.up2us.purchasingpoint.org • Input our Invitation Code (up2usmember) on the right side and click

register • Follow the instructions to input your information and set up an

account • When you sign up, you will receive a DocuSign email in your inbox • Open the email and click on “Review” • A pop‐up message will ask you to agree to use this electronic

means of signing the agreement with HealthTrust Purchasing Group, the organization that negotiates our discounts

o Check “I agree...” o Click “Review Document”

• Scroll down and click on the “Sign Here” icon, then edit your title in the red box if necessary

o You will need to “adopt” a signature the first time you use DocuSign

o The yellow “Next” button will change to “Confirm Signing,” click “Confirm Signing”

• After signing, a pop-up will allow you to save and/or print the document

• In 2-3 days you’ll receive an email with your program ID, which some vendors require

2. Find Vendors

• When logged in, click on the “Product categories” tab or “Vendors” tab at the top of the page

• You can find vendors you are already using or start relationships with new vendors

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PURCHASINGPOINT INSTRUCTIONS

3. Sign up

• Click the green “sign up” button to notify vendors that you are a PurchasingPoint user

• The vendor profile will show specific “How to sign up for discounts” instructions (typically an email, phone call, or online form)

• You may need the Up2Us GPOID (H018596) or your Program ID when signing up with vendors

4. Start saving money!

• Once you have signed up with the vendor, order as instructed to save!

WHICH ARE SOME OF THE MORE HELPFUL DISCOUNTS AND VENDORS?

Car Rentals with Alamo, Enterprise, and National (56% average savings) Please note that Up2Us already has a relationship with these vendors and you may use our Contract IDs.

• Enterprise: Go to http://www.enterprise.com o In section 3, go to the field titled “Optional: Coupon,

Customer, or Corporate Number” and enter the Contract ID (XZ24C96 without insurance, XZ56AWC with insurance) and submit.

o On the following page, enter the PIN: Up2 • National: Go to http://www.nationalcar.com

o Select “Rates and Reservations” at the top of the screen o Under the section “Optional Rate Information,” use the

Contract ID • Alamo: Go to http://www.alamo.com

o Under Car Rental Reservations (yellow box), click on “More Options click here”

o Under Optional Rate Information, enter the Contract ID in the box for I.D./Corp I.D.

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PURCHASINGPOINT INSTRUCTIONS

Computers and Technology Supplies with CDW (8% average savings) • Though it says CDW Government, nonprofits are eligible as well • Use the “sign up” button and visit the CDW website or contact the CDW

representative

Copiers/Printers and Multifunction Machines with Konica Minolta (55% average savings)

• Use the “sign up” button to send an automatic email to a local Konica Minolta representative, who will contact you within 2-3 business days

Offices Supplies with Staples (22% average savings)

• Use the “sign up” button to send an automatic email to a Staples representative, who will contact you within 2-3 business days

Global Shipping with FedEx (40% average savings)

• Use the “sign up” button to convert an existing account or call FedEx to create an account

Employee Screening with LexisNexis (40% average savings)

• Use the “sign up” button to send an automatic email; or email Jason Huber, our account manager, and alert him that you are part of the National Human Services Assembly (jason.huber@lexisnexis.com)

Postage Equipment and Supplies with PitneyBowes (10% average savings)

• Use the “sign up” button to send an automatic email to a Pitney Bowes representative, who will contact you within 2-3 business days

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BACKGROUND CHECK DISCOUNTS

Up2Us wants to provide new access to a background check provider that may save you money on screening staff and volunteers. We’ve partnered with background check provider LexisNexis to provide special discounted pricing for Up2Us members. We put together two packages based on commonly used background checks. Please contact Jason Huber for state-specific requirements. He is available to give advice and help navigate background checks. PACKAGE 1: National Criminal Package ………………………………………………………………………………… $7.50 Social Security Number Verification Sex Offender – State National Criminal Record File PLUS PACKAGE 2: National Criminal Plus County Package …………………………………………………………. $21.88 Social Security Number Verification Felony and Misdemeanor Sex Offender – State National Criminal Record File PLUS

*This package saves you if you conduct more than two County searches (if your volunteer/new staff member has lived in more than 2 counties)

A LA CARTE FEATURES (If ordered in addition to or separate from a package)

Social Security Number Verification $1.00 Education Verification (per institution) $5.75 Employment Verification $5.75 License / Credential Verification $5.75 Military Verification $5.75 Reference Check $5.75 Motor Vehicle Check (Driving Record) $1.00 Credit Report (Employment) $2.25 Felony and Misdemeanor $6.25 Sex Offender - State $1.25 National Criminal Record File PLUS $5.25

FINGERPRINTING Electronic Fingerprinting Service (Self Collect) ………………………………………………………………………. $11.20 Electronic Fingerprinting Service (Outsourced) (additional fees may apply) …………………….… $36.00

To receive these prices and find out about additional available background checks, email Jason Huber at jason.huber@lexisnexis.com.

**mention that you are an Up2Us member

CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT

BEST PRACTICE GUIDE:

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How do sports-based youth development (SBYD) programs identify and work with corporate partners? How are corporate volunteers engaged? The following is a brief guidebook of best practices based on the input of Up2Us member organizations.

IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL CORPORATE PARTNERSIdentifying corporate partners is a never-ending process and should involve every stake-holder in your organization. Consider the following strategies:

Board Members Brainstorm a list of different industries that you would like to have a board member from (e.g., health care, beverage, apparel, etc.).Outline a clear job description for board members that makes it clear you ex-pect them to fundraise from within their industry and introduce you to at least 3-5 new business contacts each year.Utilize your current friends and staff network to identify board members. How-ever, don’t be afraid to send “cold-call” emails to potential board members introducing yourself and asking them for 30 minutes of their time. The key to success in “cold-call” emails is “doing your homework.” Personalize these emails so that the recipient sees that you took time to research who they are and why they would be a good fit. Furthermore, follow up repeatedly until you get a response.Work with your board chair to evaluate each board member every year to find out if they’ve fulfilled their commitment to introduce you to corporate contacts.

Parent Boards – Similar to a Parent Teacher Association (PTA), start a Parent Coach Association (PCA). They can plan events, fundraise, volunteer in the organization, and provide parent feedback on the program’s impact. They can also be invaluable in helping you identify potential corporate targets.

During registration for your program, ask parents to get involved and sign up for the parent board. Collect information from the parent board members on local businesses they shop at, the products and services they use, and the corporations that are do-ing business in their community. Target this list of businesses and consider including a parent in any meetings you can to solicit their support.

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Volunteers – To maximize the impact of volunteers on corporate engagement, con-sider the following:

Be sure to identify where all of your volunteers work during your volunteer registration. Make sure to research their employer to see if it aligns with your mission.Create a “new volunteer day” where current volunteers bring a friend or family member to help out and capture their places of employment as well.If a volunteer works at a business that is a potential corporate partner, see if they are willing to set up a meeting with the person in charge of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Community Affairs at their office. Ask volunteers to consider hosting a coffee-break or luncheon (see Strategy 1) at their office whereby you supply coffee and donuts for an office break before or during the workday. Use this opportunity to engage new volunteers and get them to support your mission.

Organizational Staff – Perhaps the most underutilized resource is your organization’s own staff.

Organize a day where everyone maps out their network of friends, college roommates, college teammates, present roommates, parents, siblings, and anyone else whom they know who should know about your cause. List next to each contact any information about where they might work.See if your staff member is comfortable sending a joint email (with you) to these contacts to see if they might be willing to help you engage their place of employment in your cause.Plan a “resource mapping” activity every 6 months to update new resources among new and existing staff.

Corporation Staff – Don’t forget to engage the staff at corporations who are already your supporters. They offer a way to increase that corporation’s support in the future. Plus, if they leave their job one day, they might even champion your organization with their future employers, as well.

Meet with the person in charge of CSR or Community Affairs at any company that currently supports you. Tell them that you want their help in engaging their employees as volunteers or at your local events.Organize at least one site visit for all your current corporate partners to see your work in action. The experience of seeing your program and kids will moti-vate them to stay involved or to do more. Find out if your current supporters offer matching gift programs where their staff can get their donations matched by their employers or get paid to do a day of service with you.

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Keep Your Eyes Open – Prospecting corporate funders is an ongoing process and new prospects can come from virtually anywhere.

Find out what business are funding like-minded organizations by visiting their websites.Find the sporting magazine that represents your organization’s sport and see who’s advertising in it.Look at billboards and other posters in your community.Do a Wikipedia search of “corporate headquarters” in your city.Contact all the businesses who your organization does business with (your bank, your payroll group, your power supply company, etc.).Subscribe to local business journals – each city has one (e.g., Crains) that iden-tifies existing, new and emerging companies. They often dedicate an issue to corporate social responsibility grading of local companies. Subscribe to Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire. This is an online data-base for CSR reports and press around CSR.

EFFECTIVE WAYS TO ENGAGE CORPORATIONSSTRATEGY 1: Corporate Luncheons and Coffee Breaks

At many corporations, coffee breaks and lunch time can be utilized to engage their staff in learning about your organization and how they can get involved (this is especially the case if you are providing the coffee or lunches). These events also give your organiza-tion the opportunity to expand your network and build more extensive ties with the cor-poration. Many Up2Us members report an increase in volunteers and individual donors with this strategy.

Here are a few suggestions to set up a successful coffee break or luncheon:Coordinate with your contact at that business to set up the coffee break or lun-cheon. If you don’t have a contact, try reaching out to the Director of Corpo-rate Social Responsibility and ask if (s)he will help. Choose a conference room, lobby, or even the common kitchen space.Have your contact send out emails inviting their colleagues to attend the break. Be sure they send a reminder the day before and/or that morning.Ask a few of your program staff, volunteers, and/or program participants to join you at the event to share their story, but be sure that everyone keeps their presentation brief.Prepare a handout to give to the corporate attendees at the event. This hand-out should describe your organization, its mission, and include a space for attendees to sign up as a volunteer or pledge a donation.Follow up after the luncheon connecting personally with the corporate staff who attended.

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STRATEGY 2: One-Day Events with a Corporation

One-day events with new or potential corporations offer the opportunity for corporate staff to be exposed to your program or to participate in your sport. Examples include:

America SCORES, a soccer and youth development organization, conducts an an-nual “corporate cup” whereby corporate teams sign up to win bragging rights as the best corporate soccer team in the city. Each team pays a registration fee to America SCORES who organizes the day-long, round-robin tournament and then uses the money to fund their programs.

EXAMPLE 1: Heart of Los Angeles partners with Burberry to offer a career day in one of their stores. Youth learn valuable skills from Burberry staff. They even get to design t-shirts to be displayed on the store front. Young employees enjoy it, and the corporate staff does not have to travel to help out. EXAMPLE 2: Up2Us partners with Mercedes-Benz USA to host Mercedes-Benz Uni-versity where coaches in the Coach Across America program go to the headquarters for a day of professional development. Mercedes-Benz employees engage coaches with workshops on wide-ranging topics from resume writing to branding to financial management.

Many Up2Us member organizations engage with sports teams and corporations to conduct equipment drives at the beginning of their season. Be very specific about the types (sizes, colors, quality) of product/equipment that you need when you set up these drives. Also, be sure to emphasize that you want new or “gently used” prod-ucts and not unusuable equipment.

Chicago Run hosts fun runs for its youth twice a year in partnership with new and existing corporations. During this event, youth participants run a mile through a major city park while corporate volunteers make signs, cheer on the runners, keep the route safe, pass out healthy snacks, and help load and unload students from school buses.

Many Up2Us member organizations conduct service days where they challenge a corporate team to come out to a site and help renovate or refurbish it. This might mean relining fields, building stands, painting the clubhouse, and/or creating a base-ball field. If possible, try to include a celebration lunch or barbecue at the event where volunteers get to meet and play with the kids who are benefitting from their work.

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TIPS FOR MANAGING CORPORATE VOLUNTEERSAppoint a leader in the corporation to organize the volunteers and distribute vol-unteer information.Assess with your leader what the best time of day is to engage volunteers. Cor-porate volunteers have families, hobbies, and other commitments that need to be taken into account when planning an event. During or before volunteer activities, provide volunteer information packets that include roles and responsibilities, guidelines on any organizational policies, on-site contact lists, feedback forms, and a schedule.Provide training before events for corporate volunteers. Chicago Run suggests holding these trainings earlier in the week rather than the day of the event. This allows more time for follow-up on any volunteer questions prior to the event.Have a waitlist of back-up volunteers. Anticipate a 30% no-show rate from corpo-rate volunteers. Follow up with personal thank you letters. Include a request or a way to keep your volunteers engaged. America SCORES asks their volunteers to sponsor a coach or team in the community.Ask a few all-star corporate volunteers to “champion” the cause within the corpo-ration by hosting feedback sessions and/or by being the event leader the follow-ing year.

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THE FACTS

• Physical activity facilitates the brain’s capacity to execute “executive functions” (the process required to make decisions).1

• Physical activity also benefits concentration, memory, and behavior in the classroom.2

• John Ratey has found that physical activity impacts chemicals in the brain that

promote certain functions that improve thinking, memory, focus, concentration and impulsivity. There are connections between these functions and achievement levels.3

• Studies in multiple states have shown that students who exercised significantly

improved their intelligence test scores and core subjects at school, compares to their inactive counterparts.4

DESIGN FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY You can design your sport for more physical activity! Sports system re-design (SSrD) is a new approach to sports programming that provides practitioners with tools that will help them better achieve their desired impact, such as increased physical activity. SSrD involves looking at the actual structure and design of the whole sport experience and purposefully altering elements that we usually consider fixed such as equipment, playing space, roles of the coaches or referees, and especially, the rules of the game. Making changes to these aspects means changing the sport experience for everyone; it becomes impossible for participants to “not do” that aspect of the game. If the right changes are identified, all participants will get the benefit of that change. SSrD Examples to increase physical activity

• As players arrive for a practice/match the first ones there go to the first field and immediately start to play. As each field/group fills up, the next field/group is started.

• Every kid gets a ball.

• Coach is timed to make explanations only 30 seconds at a time, and then return to physical activity.

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• Unlimited substitutions.

• A youth soccer league that encourages parents on the sidelines to help keep the ball in play, the game stops less often and kids continually run around.

• Cross ice hockey: a new youth version of ice hockey in which the goals are moved around the ice forcing players to cross back and forth, skating more than a linear game.

• Kickball for physical activity – the entire batting team runs with the player who kicked the ball around the bases.

TRAIN YOUR COACHES TO RUN PHYSICALLY ACTIVE PRACTICES Best Practices for Physically Active Practices

How to Run Physically Active Practices

7 Tips from Play Rugby USA

1. Instant warm up: As soon as kids get into the practice area (gym, field, or cafeteria), head straight into a warm up. The coach’s job is to get them moving and start the session as quickly as possible. Session objectives and aims are set out after warm up – the students listen better after this initial warm up as they are engaged.

2. Games-based coaching philosophy: Our curriculum is full of games based on the principles of the sport and not drills that focus on a small skill. Why? Kids love to play games! They increase motivation, participation, and engagement.

3. Everyone does everything: Everyone plays both sides of the ball, run with the ball, pass the ball, score points, take tags, and be involved in all aspects of play. This maximizes participation and engagement.

4. Enough equipment for group: We like to play small-sided games to ensure everyone is involved all the time. Small-sided games are only possible if you have enough equipment to ensure safety and effectiveness.

5. Quick transitions: Lesson plans are set out progressively so games build upon each other. This helps to continually challenge students but also minimize down time between games.

6. Add one rule/coaching point at a time: Begin games with as few rules as possible so that kids can start exercising and having fun as soon as programming starts. Adding one rule or coaching point at a time allows us to avoid lengthy discussions in which kids are not exercising and are losing focus/engagement. Rules are

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added during natural breaks in play to maximize fun, participation, and engagement.

7. Flag Rugby: This game has no time outs and substitution is run freely with a running clock. This game is fun, fast-paced, and keeps kids running the entire time.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1Tomporowski, P. D., Davis, C. L., Miller, P. H., & Naglieri, J. A. (2008). Exercise and children’s intelligence, cognition, an academic achievement. Educational Psychology Review, 20, 111–131 2 Trudeau, F. & Shephard, R. J. (2008). Physical education, school physical activity, school sports and academic performance. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 5 (10). 3 Ratey, J. J. with Hagerman, E. (2008). Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain, Little, Brown and Company. 4 Ratey, J. J. with Hagerman, E. (2008). Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain, Little, Brown and Company.; London, R.A., Castrechin Edmi, S. (2011). (Vol. 81: Issue 7). A Longitudinal Examination of the Link Between Youth Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement, Journal of School Health; Augusta, GA. Georgia Health Sciences University.!!