As leaders of the sport setting, youth sports staff shape the conditions that make or break it for kids. 

Parents are entrusting us to take care of the person they most care about, their child! That is a lot of trust they have in us! You have an incredibly important role and are acting in place of the parent while the child is in our care. What do you believe the parents expect from us as caretakers? They want to make sure that their child is safe, both physically and emotionally, and that they enjoy coming to our program. Parents want to feel good about choosing us to care for their child. 

Remember that you are the adult and must be viewed as a professional. It will be important for you to build strong, trusting relationships with the children and their families. Have fun with the kids but also remember to create boundaries for them. 

You are a role model! Children look up to adults and want to be like them. Be mindful of your attitude, clothing, language, and most of all, your leadership. "Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate."