Websites and Organizations:
- Play Like a Champion – playlikeachampion.org
Notre Dame educational resources on youth athletics for coaches and parents - Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) – positivecoach.org
PCA offers resources, workshops, and courses that emphasize character development and positive coaching techniques in youth sports, often with a values-based approach. - Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) – fca.org
FCA is a faith-based organization that provides sports ministry resources, including devotionals, camps, and events for athletes and coaches. - SportsLeader – sportsleader.org
SportsLeader offers a faith-based curriculum for coaches to integrate character and virtue development into their teams. - Upward Sports – upward.org
Upward Sports is a Christian sports organization that focuses on the development of the whole athlete—physically, mentally, and spiritually. - i9 Sports – i9sports.com
i9 Sports emphasizes the values of sportsmanship, respect, and teamwork in youth sports programs. Their blog often features articles on character development.
Books:
- “Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court” by John Wooden and Steve Jamison – This book by legendary basketball coach John Wooden offers valuable insights into character development and leadership through the lens of sports.
- “The Last Dance of the Phoenix: Sports, Faith, and the Journey to the Next Level” by D. J. Williams – This book explores the relationship between sports, faith, and personal growth, drawing from the author’s experiences as a college athlete.
- “InSideOut Coaching: How Sports Can Transform Lives” by Joe Ehrmann – Former NFL player Joe Ehrmann discusses the role of coaches in shaping young athletes’ character and values.
Articles and Online Resources:
- “The Role of Faith in Sports: A Guide for Parents and Coaches” – This article on Active for Life explores how faith can be integrated into youth sports and offers practical tips for parents and coaches.
- “The Role of Faith in Youth Sports” – A thought-provoking article by The Gospel Coalition that discusses the spiritual aspect of youth sports and its impact on young athletes.
- “How to Teach Sportsmanship to Kids” – This article from Verywell Family provides insights into teaching sportsmanship, respect, and ethics to young athletes.
- “Youth Sports Ministry: Strategies for Incorporating Faith into Youth Sports” – An article on Ministry to Youth that discusses strategies for integrating faith into youth sports programs.