Youth sports are fundamentally a place for equality. A space for a kid to learn how to play in the outfield by themselves but as a part of a team. An environment for them to challenge themselves, see what role they play on a team and how they can work together among peers.

But as adults creating sports organizations, many individuals lose the concept of teamwork. They lose perspective, the value of working together, and stop trusting in the process of commitment. Everyday we strive to partner with youth sports non-profit organizations who believe in the rights of Middle & High school-aged student-athletes to grow into successful men and women among our society.

Some of these boys & girls come from urban communities and others from rural communities - but when it is all said and done, where they come from matters, but not as much as where they can go! However, in order for them to #learn #grow #makeanassist in their community, they must learn from their elders. And currently the industry doesn't trust in the process - let alone have a stable process set-up for success.

When we work together, we find common ground. We find a commitment and desire to share in the successful growth of youth. With a 99.7% chance to become great in something other than a pro athlete, it is time we commit to teamwork that will create the change we hope to see in the world. This involves having fundraising and sponsorship dollars committed to youth safety, education components that inform youth athletes on the opportunities other than becoming a pro athlete and the fundamental rights each child has and must demand of us to work together for their personal growth. And, you already know where it starts. It starts with us, the adults, working together and trusting the process.

A lot of people write blogs, articles, and newsletters, but what value do they have if there is no call-to-action or evidence of change.

Over 20 years have gone  by with the same conversation at hand: how do we make youth sports safer? Safe from what, who, when, where and why?

Safe from Sudden Cardiac Arrest? concussions? or the worst case scenario of sexual predators? Over time, while newspaper writers, elite athletes and colleges have gone through the turmoil, there has been little to no change.

It is now time to share the insight into what makes youth sports great and why why must invest in the youth student-athletes starting today! The numbers don't lie. Ask the NATA how many Certified Athletic Trainers they have registered in their association. Go ahead and ask the Board of Certification, the NCAA and other major elite associations what their Certified Athletic Trainer student population looks like? Ask them what the industry growth rate looks like. And then, compare that to the 60 million kids playing sports. Compare that to the countless urban and rural communities that can not access a sports medicine practitioner for one reason or another (typically funds ie money appropriations or scheduling). 

And then consider that if we start teaching the youth that they can impact the world today through their independent, free thinking strength and desire to become successful we can turn them from a statistic to a professional - in something other than being a pro athlete. Because honestly, after 20 years, it seems not one person has focused on being the problem solver. Register as a brand ambassador for Team A.S.S.I.S.T. and we'll ensure the sports organizations we work with have the tools to receive the appropriate education reform to turn kids who struggle with school, sports and education today into the leaders of our future! #makeanassist