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Mission statements vary in their length, structure and content, but, to be effective, a youth sports mission statement must:

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1. Create a model and vision for the future. In order to create a truly effective mission, you must be able to determine what you want your program to look like as a "finished product." How do you want others, both inside and outside your program, to view your program?
   
   

2. State values and goals clearly and concisely. From a mechanical perspective, the briefer a mission statement is, the clearer it will probably be to the coach, program director, athlete, and parent. It should state and define the core values and virtues espoused by the program in broad terms and in language everyone can understand so that all participants/stakeholders can easily comprehend the expectations and ethos of the program. Because virtues form the foundation of a character-based program, the mission statement should contain a convincing portrayal of what virtuous behavior means and looks like.
   
   

3. Convey a positive sense of purpose. The program's mission ought to be written affirmatively and positively -- establishing the reasons for and value of participation in the program. In other words, the mission statement should explain "why" people participate in the program -- reasons like enjoyment, satisfaction or striving for excellence.
   
   

4. Promote the shared values and goals of the stakeholders. The core values stated in the mission ought to be defined so they make sense to all the participants. Children, adolescents and adults tend to remain focused on activities that hold some sense of significance for them. Core values really matter when their action reflects the shared purpose of the group.
   
   

5. Inspire. An inspiring mission statement instills faith and confidence of the stakeholders in the value of participation and aspiring to achieve the program's core values.
   
   

6. Require action. Core values only have power if they are followed. Knowing and paying lip service to the values espoused by a mission statement are not good enough. The only true measure of the effectiveness of a mission statement is to ask whether stakeholders apply its core values in their daily actions, on and off the field, at home, and at school. Consistency between actions and words can only happen when: coaches, program directors, parents, and student-athletes model the behavior suggested in the mission statement at every practice and during every game; when the aims of the program are discussed and modeled constantly; and when actions that violates either the letter or spirit of the mission statement have adverse consequences.
   
   

7. Recognize the youth in youth sports. Although people value the youth sport experience for different reasons, we must never lose sight of the fact that youth sports programs should primarily be for the benefit of, and value, the children.

It's not easy to change an individual's or an organization's behavior. Mission statements won't stop violence in youth sports or eliminate poor sportsmanship overnight. I believe, however, that if all of the stakeholders in a youth sports program strive to consistently conform their behavior to a mission statement that values character and the virtues of sportsmanship and consistently model such behavior, positive change will take place over time. Nothing will change, however, if you, as a parent of a child in youth sports, don't start a dialog with those who run the youth sports programs in your community. How? By asking two simple questions: First, what is our mission? And, second, are we doing what we say we are doing?

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Article Updated: August 22, 2007

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