Building a youth sports policy agenda has always been an important element of the Aspen Institute’s mission. A terrific session was hosted by Greg Olsen as he sat with Governor Wes Moore to discuss the elements that needed to be incorporated into the policy agenda. As you can see on the outline drawing, there are many moving parts that require integration to create a successful program. The State of Play Report provides a blueprint for how to make the greatest impact.
As they moved through the conversation, Olsen and Moore hit on many key items that you can see illustrated, including:
- How sports teach us to win and lose (which extends beyond the field)
- Allows youth of all races and socioeconomic levels to meet each other where they are
- Teaches service to the community
- Provides mental and physical health benefits
- Provides connections
They discussed the ENOUGH Act which focused on:
- Engaging
- Neighborhood
- Organizations
- Unions
- Governments
- Households
This focus stresses the critical importance of being able to bring together diverse populations and stakeholders. As leadership looks at how to create change and transform communities, they need to look at a variety of factors, including:
- Filling participation caps
- Finding new funding for sports programs and facilities
- Identifying what success looks like
- Creating equitable structures
- Making sports accessible
- Governing more effectively
- Tracking data to be able to make better decisions
With such a variety of stakeholders and many competing priorities, it is important for these organizations to collaborate and put the overall health of the youth and the community in front of the political agendas that often govern.
