Governing bodies play a crucial role in youth sports, often setting the tone for play by establishing clear sets of rules and enforcing safety standards. They are a guiding force for the game, ensuring every athlete has the development opportunities they need in a safe and fulfilling environment. But with that influence also comes a responsibility to listen and adapt to clubs’ needs, as these are ever-changing and dependent on a variety of outside factors. 

We recently asked a sampling of youth sports leaders what changes they most desired from their governing bodies as part of a larger survey on the future of youth sports. Here are a few key terms we heard more than once from multiple people:

Simplification: Currently, it seems as though people feel that things within their governing body are a bit complicated. Many stated that the software system currently in use by their governing body was confusing and often required using multiple platforms to get access to everything they needed, something that causes frustration. Others felt there was a need to simplify processes and policies established to make the overall playing experience better for families and staff alike.

Reduction: By far the biggest change desired by club leaders is a reduction in fees. Many feel that the cost of participation places a significant burden on players and clubs of all sizes and age groups. From registration and participation fees to travel expenses and event entry costs, the financial demands quickly add up. High costs can make play unreachable for people in certain income brackets.

Some leaders also alluded to the fact that they thought there were too many leagues to choose from and a lot of value placed on certain ones. This is particularly tricky, especially when there are different sets of rules, costs, and opportunities for each. It makes it difficult to determine the best fit for players.

Affordability: Aside from the aforementioned affordability on the players’ side, respondents also raised concerns about costs for staff - particularly coaches. Education is a big part of coaching; clubs and their governing bodies want to ensure their coaches are going through the appropriate training and attaining the proper certifications and/or licenses needed to provide a healthy developmental environment for players. That said, licensing alone can cost upwards of $1,000 depending on the course, which puts a major financial burden on clubs who need to find creative ways to offset these costs.

Transparency: Some fees associated with participation in certain governing bodies and leagues can be somewhat murky, and clubs are craving more clarity on where their money is going. Knowing what they’re paying into might make the cost easier to swallow down the line. They also wish they had a clearer picture of what resources and services are available to them through their affiliation.

Consistency: This was a big theme across the board, as it was apparent through respondents’ answers that there doesn’t appear to be much regularity. Some commented on how there needs to be uniformity in the criteria for how clubs can participate in leagues so smaller clubs feel they’re given the same opportunities as larger clubs in terms of placement. Whether it’s in the rules and/or requirements you must follow as a player or a club, the registration process as a whole, or even the platforms and software used, it’s clear that alignment is needed across the board.