The Handbook I Wish I Had

There's no handbook for calming a nervous 9-year-old before their first at-bat.

There's no manual for navigating a frustrated parent, a volunteer coach who's struggling, or a teenager who just doesn't feel like they belong. There's no checklist for building a league culture where everyone — players, parents, coaches — feels valued, heard, and part of something bigger than the game itself.

And for years, I looked for one.

I wanted the guide that told me how to lead youth sport in a way that honored people — not just scores. I wanted the resource that explained how to communicate clearly, build trust with families, and create belonging in a space where competition and comparison often take center stage. I wanted something that blended the heart of leadership with the real-world logistics of running a league: scheduling, budgets, safety, communication tools, and managing the dozens of moving pieces that make youth sports run smoothly.

But that handbook didn't exist. And after almost 10 years of experience in youth sports, and almost 25 years in higher education - it was time to write one.

What the Youth Sport Leadership Certificate Really Is

The Youth Sport Leadership Certificate isn't just a course. It's the handbook I wish I had when I started leading youth sports — practical, accessible, and rooted in real-world experience.

It's for coaches, volunteers, board members, recreation staff, and anyone who cares about creating youth sport environments where kids learn more than skills — they learn how to communicate, collaborate, and believe in themselves.

The program covers six core areas:

• Building positive team and league culture — because culture is what happens when no one's watching
• Communicating with players, parents, and volunteers — the foundation of trust and clarity
• Managing schedules, budgets, and safety procedures — the essentials that keep everything running
• Integrating technology and communication tools — modern solutions for modern leagues
• Working effectively with community partners and sponsors — collaboration that strengthens your program
• Promoting equity, ethics, and inclusion in youth sport — ensuring every child has a place to belong

By the end of the program, participants don't just walk away with a certificate. They walk away with their own League Handbook — a working document that captures their organization's mission, policies, operations, and communication plan. It's a living resource they can actually use.

Why This Matters

Youth sport is often where kids first learn what leadership looks like. They watch how adults handle conflict. They notice who gets celebrated and who gets overlooked. They internalize whether they're valued for who they are or only for what they produce.

And the adults leading those programs? Most of them are volunteers. Parents who said yes because no one else would. Coaches who love the game but have never been trained to lead. Board members trying to figure it out as they go.

They deserve better. They deserve support, structure, and recognition for the work they do. Because when we invest in the people who lead youth sports, we're investing in every kid who steps onto that field.