Inclusion

Within a recreation sports program, it is extremely important to put inclusion at the forefront to make sure your participants, parents, staff and volunteers always feel safe and welcome. The youth sports environment should be as inclusive as possible for all participants regardless of their ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation, language or ethnic background, personality, social and emotional IQ, or mental or physical disabilities. The definition of inclusion is as follows:

Inclusion: The action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure as well as providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups.

Here are several steps to successfully foster inclusion and make sure all feel welcome within your program:

1. Put Respect for All at the forefront of youth sports.
   
   
2. Engrain and promote a culture that culminates inclusion.
   
   
3. Eliminate barriers to participate in your program.
   
   
4. Encourage a diverse enrollment, including those with special needs.
   
   
5. Be prepared and be flexible to adjust to individual needs.
   
   
6. Listen and learn to educate yourself and your program.
   
   
7. Have plans in place to accommodate anyone with a physical or mental disability.
   
   
8. Have written policies and procedures for inclusion as well as tackling non-inclusive behavior or discrimination within your program or organization.
   
   
9. Promote teambuilding activities within your teams.
   
   
10. Make sure all participants feel welcome on all teams and are included in every activity, practice, and game.
    
    
11. Engrain a no tolerance policy on bullying or abuse within your program and be responsive to incidents.
    
    
12. Train staff and volunteers on inclusion.
    
    
13. Ensure your facility is safe and accommodating.
    
    
14. Know and understand local, state, and federal rules that apply to Inclusion such as ADA regulations.
    
    
15. Understand inclusion is a continuous process and is year round.

These are just a few steps of many you can implement to make sure all kids, parents, staff, and volunteers feel safe, accepted, and included to ensure you have a program they will never forget. An inclusive youth sports experience is not just beneficial, it’s transformative. It can bring a plethora of advantages that extend far beyond the boundaries of your program.