The National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) offers trusted and free National Youth Sports Week (NYSW) resources to support coaches, parents, and youth-serving organizations. These tools help advance safety, equity, and participation goals as we work toward 63% youth sports participation by 2030.
Essential Tools for Youth Sports Safety, Advocacy & Participation
Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)
This EAP provide guidelines and templates for emergency planning to help prepare your organization, staff and volunteers in case of emergency. Download this free EAP template and customize to ensure the best care is provided in the event of an emergency.
- Download EAP Template for youth sports safety.
Proclamation Request & Sample Proclamation
Use this editable letter to formally request a local proclamation declaring October 6–11, 2025, as National Youth Sports Week. The file also includes the sample proclamation template to submit to elected leaders. Proclamations elevate visibility, strengthen funding proposals, and position your community as a champion for youth sports and public health.
- Download Proclamation Request & Sample Proclamation to connect with officials.
National Youth Sports Week Press Release Template
Spread the word locally with this ready-to-customize press release. Highlight your organization’s NYSW activities, community impact, and alignment with the national goal of 63% youth participation by 2030.
- Download NYSW Press Release Template to highlight local impact.
NCYS Recommended Guidelines for Background Screening
NCYS recommends that all youth-serving organizations conduct background checks on all staff and volunteers who have regular contact with children, following industry standard guidelines.
- Download Background Screening Guidelines for responsible vetting.
STOP Sports Injuries
There are some 8.5 million injuries that occur annually. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 50% of injuries are preventable. Access practical tips to prevent injuries.
- Download STOP Sports Injuries Tip Sheets for practical risk reduction strategies.
Coming Soon: NYSW Partner Media Toolkit
The intention of NYSW is to bring awareness to issues in youth sports, drive the engagement of stakeholders and deliver a specific call to action each day.
Training & Education
Coach Mentor Training™
You can be more than just a coach. You can also be a mentor. Mentoring goes beyond teaching plays and techniques. It’s about nurturing character, resilience, and leadership skills. Coach-Mentor Training (CMT) bridges the gap between being a coach and a mentor.
Choose the training option that best fits your needs:
- Online: Register here for a one-hour training at your own pace.
- Virtual: For more information about a 1.5-hour interactive session, email ah*******@****************on.org.
U.S. Council for Athlete’s Health
Tailor your organization’s educational experience to meet its specific requirements by choosing from our range of education levels designed for both coaches and parents. To help you kickstart your journey towards health and safety, we are offering two (2) complimentary courses for coaches and two (2) complimentary courses for parents. For more detail, click here.
Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CSA)
We’ve partnered with George Washington University to bring you this flexible online training equipping you with the skills for managing and leading youth sports organizations. Through six comprehensive courses, you’ll learn about risk management, financial accounting, event safety, contract law, program development, leadership, organizational structure, fundraising, marketing, sponsorship, and event management. Learn more here.
National Recreation & Park Association
Park and recreation agencies offer high-quality youth sports programming that’s affordable, inclusive and fun. Designed for parents and caregivers, this interactive resource showcases why park and recreation youth sports are a great option for all kids. Don’t miss the downloadable conversion guide, which encourages families to engage in conversation around which sports their child might want to play! Click here to access the PRPA website.
American Academy of Pediatrics Resources
- Injury Risk is Martial Arts
- Organized Sports for Youth
- Promotion of Healthy Weight Control
- Reducing Injury Risk from Body Checking
- Resistance Training
- Soccer Injuries
- Sports-Related Concussions
- Sports Specialization & Intensive Training
- Tackling in Youth Football
- The Female Triad
- Performance Enhancing Substances
Digital Assets
Concussion Resources
Scott Burkhart, Psy.D., Tip Sheets
A neuropsychologist at Children’s Health℠ Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine who specializes in concussion treatment and management. Click here if you’d like to co-brand the tips sheets.
Department of Health and Human Services Resources
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) has developed sports-specific campaign products to promote key messages from the Move Your Way campaign and the National Youth Sports Strategy to encourage youth sports participation as a form of physical activity
- National Youth Sports Strategy
- Move Your Way resources and Campaign materials
- Science Board Report on Youth Sports
- Mental Health Infographic
To become a National Youth Sports Strategy champion, click here.
International Sports Vision Association
ISVA is dedicated to advancing vision training for athletes to help achieve peak athletic performance and reduce the risk of vision and head-related injuries.
- ProtectPreventPlay Overview
- Women and Concussions
- Visual Skills for Sports
- Sports Nutrition for Your Eyes
Digital Assets
- Eye Injuries Digital Resources – Twitter
- Protective Eyewear Digital Resources – Twitter
- Talk to Your Eye Care Digital Resources Professional – Twitter
- Dresswear Eyeglasses Digital Resources – Twitter
- Protect Your Eyes Digital Resources – Twitter
ISVA and Zyloware are contributing protective eyewear to one organization. If your organization is interested in receiving a gift of 50 pairs of Shaq Protective Eye Gear, please click here. NCYS will select one organization randomly.
Laureus Resources
Improves the lives of youth and unite communities through the power of sport.
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Advances the strength and conditioning and related sport science professions.
Saprea Resources
Provides resources to prevent and help individuals heal from sexual abuse.
U.S. Center for SafeSport Resources
USCSS is committed to building a sport community where participants can work and learn together free of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and misconduct.
- Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAPP)
- MAPP Resources
- U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Centralized Disciplinary Database (Eligibility of NGB Coaches)
National Youth Sports Health and Safety Institute
NYSHSI is committed to making youth sports a public health solution.
