SafeSport Serves: Giving Back Across the Denver Area
SafeSport Serves: Giving Back Across the Denver Area Serving is central to working at the U.S. Center for SafeSport, an independent nonprofit with the mission to make athlete well-being the centerpiece of our nation’s sport culture through abuse prevention, education, and accountability. Every day, SafeSport staff support athletes, working to end sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in U.S. Olympic and …
Parents as Youth Sports Coaches: What To Do if You Find Yourself in the Coaching Role
Parents as Youth Sports Coaches: What To Do if You Find Yourself in the Coaching Role Fall sports are kicking off, which means youth sports teams across the country are looking for parents to volunteer and take the lead. If you find yourself suddenly stepping up to coach your child’s youth sports team, you probably have some questions: How can …
What Defines a Safe Sport Community? We Asked Four Athletes
What Defines a Safe Sport Community? We Asked Four Athletes. Building a positive sport community takes all of us working together to prioritize the well-being of athletes at every level, on every stage. Only through teamwork can we cultivate sport environments that are free from abuse. This International Safe Sport Day, we asked four SafeSport Athlete Advisory Team (SAAT) members …
Why Abuse Prevention Training Matters in Sport
Why Abuse Prevention Training Matters in Sport Coaches, sport leaders, and athletic administrators all understand the importance of focus during a game, match, or event. It’s needed for the synergy of players. And it often defines a winning point. But focus can only be achieved when athletes feel safe and supported. More than that, when everyone feels respected on the …
The SafeSport Summer Playbook
The SafeSport Summer Playbook: Your Guide to Promoting Wellness & Safety in Youth Sports & Activities In the coming weeks, millions of children across the country will be getting ready to head into summer programming. Whether you’re a coach, activity leader, parent, volunteer, or adult who regularly interacts with youth partaking in extracurricular activities, now is the ideal time to …
CEO Corner: State of SafeSport
To kick off 2025, the Center hosted a virtual forum for athletes By Ju’Riese Colon, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Center for SafeSport https://youtu.be/4yjQ7Qj_RQg State of SafeSport was an opportunity to highlight our progress, challenges, and future plans to continue shifting sport culture. More importantly, it was an opportunity to hear directly from the people we serve. We welcomed attendees representing …
Safer Sport for Kids Starts with Educated, Knowledgeable Parents and Guardians
Safer Sport for Kids Starts with Educated, Knowledgeable Parents and Guardians Whether your child plays hockey or does gymnastics, athlete safety is often on the minds of parents. Between organizing carpools and double checking the practice schedule, it’s not uncommon to find yourself asking questions such as, “Does my child have the proper safety gear—like a mouthguard or a helmet—to …
Engaging Kids to Be SafeSport Ready
Engaging Kids to Be SafeSport Ready Prevention Education Series The goal of this series is to bridge the gap between prevention education theory with on-the-ground practice. As adults who care about the children in our lives, we have both a right and responsibility to address the issue of abuse in sport. We have the right to stand up for our …
Reflect on Your Child’s Sport Experience—and Set Expectations for the Upcoming Season
Reflect on Your Child’s Sport Experience—and Set Expectations for the Upcoming Season With fall sports winding down and many sports programs coming to a close ahead of the busy holiday season, now is an ideal time to take a moment and reflect on your child’s sport experience. What went well? What could have been improved? And what expectations do you …
The Effects of Leading with Respect
The Effects of Leading with Respect Compassion and Understanding Increase Trust and Motivation Anyone who’s coached knows that it’s much more than drawing up game strategies or clocking times. Coaches motivate and encourage athletes to strive for a personal best, work together as a team, or master a new skill. And it’s not easy. Being an effective leader takes time …