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Many youth sport parents have witnessed inappropriate behavior on the part of players, coaches and other parents at practices and during games. When they do, they may scratch their heads and think to themselves "I didn't think that we acted this way in our program." The problem is that, all too often, the behavioral guidelines for the program haven't been clearly spelled out in advance. To help make proper behavior by all program stakeholders (parents, players, coaches, officials, administrators) a reality, it is therefore imperative that everyone knows, and be able to refer, to the program's mission statement.

A mission statement is just that: a statement of the mission, or goal, of an organization, whether it be a youth sports program, a corporation, or any organization. When all is said and done, the mission statement is a contract for ethical behavior which everyone involved in the organization, whether it be parents, athletes, coaches, officials and administrators have agreed to follow. A major responsibility for those administering a youth sports program (the Board of Directors of a private club, or the Athletic Director of a middle or high school) is to draft, implement and enforce the mission statement.

A mission statement:

• Needs to be taken seriously. A mission statement conveys what a group believes to be the significant worth and value of the organization. To get the most out of a mission statement, everyone involved in its drafting and implementation must be serious about using it.
  
  

• Guides behavior. A mission statement is a tool that helps to guide and analyze every action taken by an athlete, parent, coach or program director by clearly stating behavioral expectations for athletes, parents, officials, coaches and administrators.
  
  

• Serves as a reminder. A mission statement serves as a simple reminder to do the right thing. When everyone knows and fully understands the team or program's mission, and recognizes the value of a written mission statement, they can refer back to the mission statement whenever an ethical problem is presented on or off the field.
  
  

• Reduces ambiguity. A mission statement can be a wonderful decision making tool. When you have a choice to make on how to act, you can refer back to the purpose and vision of the program as articulated in its mission statement. If the action doesn't fit, you don't do it. This takes the ambiguity out of the process.
  
  

• Facilitates objective decision-making. A mission statement decreases the emotional response to a decision by making it more objective and dispassionate. Most people know what they ought to do, but sometimes allow their emotions to get in the way. A mission statement is valuable because, when emotional states are in flux, it helps a stakeholder put a behavioral response in context. For example, if the mission statement espouses respect for teammates, the importance of treating them all equally, and values skill development over winning as values, parents and players are less likely to be upset when the coach substitutes players regardless of the score or climate of the game.
  
  

• Requires top down leadership to be effective. The effectiveness of a mission statement depends on everyone "walking the walk." This nugget of reality is what gives actor Tom Cruise's one-liner in the film Jerry Maguire, "Show me the money!" its punch. If a youth sport program is about enjoyment and satisfaction for all, then the proof is in consistent enforcement of its mission statement from the Board of Directors or Athletic Director on down. Every stakeholder has to constantly ask the tough questions: "Are we doing what we say we are doing? and "Who is responsible for ensuring that we are doing what we say?"
  
  

• Works because all stakeholders have a vested interest. By recognizing the goals of everyone involved in an athletic program and giving participants an opportunity to express what they believe to be the important values of the program, a mission statement can provide strong and compelling motivation for all to act according to its tenets.

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Article Updated: August 22, 2007

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