The URPA Sportsmanship Initiative was created in an effort to raise awareness for positive sportsmanship in and around youth sports in Utah. Children participate in sports for a variety of reasons; physical fitness, friendship and fun typically top the list. The goal of youth sports should center around the participants building skills, competing and having fun! Adults can support that effort by cheering and encouraging all players, coaches and officials along the way.
The resources below were created to help the process of spreading and enforcing positive sportsmanship for youth sports throughout Utah. Feel free to share with your agency!
NewsletterThese quarterly newsletters could be a great resource for parents of participants and will help to educate parents on the necessity for positive sportsmanship! Email these out and post them to your organization's website.
Sportsmanship Season With The Pros 2025
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Children participate in sports for a variety of reasons; physical fitness, friendship and fun typically top the list. The goal of youth sports should center around the participants building skills, competing and having fun! Adults can support that effort by cheering and encouraging all players, coaches and officials along the way.
Do not mistake winning as the most important factor. If children are doing their best and enjoying the game they have already won.
Players, coaches and officials are human and make mistakes; pointing out those mistakes creates a negative environment for everyone.
Please support your player as a positive sport parent by pledging-
- I will exemplify good sportsmanship towards everyone including players, coaches, officials and spectators.
- I will remember that children follow my example - good or bad.
- I will applaud good performances by my child's team and opponents.
- I will speak positively towards officials and coaches.
- I will show respect to and express appreciation for the officials, coaches, coordinators facilities.
- I acknowledge that mistakes and losing are part of life.
- I pledge to be tolerant of the mistakes made by players, coaches, officials and others.
- I will voice my concerns by providing constructive feedback through the appropriate channels of league at the appropriate time.
- I will choose to be positive and kind so game days are fun!
Individuals participate in sports for a variety of reasons; physical fitness, friendship and fun typically top the list. The goal of adult sports should center around the participants building skills, competing and having fun! Spectators can support that effort by cheering and encouraging all players and officials along the way. Do not mistake winning as the most important factor.
Players and officials are human and make mistakes; pointing out those mistakes creates a negative environment for everyone.
Please support our positive sports environment by pledging-
- I will exemplify good sportsmanship towards everyone including players, officials and spectators.
- I will remember that others will follow my example - good or bad.
- I will speak positively towards officials and players by using appropriate language.
- I will show respect to and express appreciation for the staff and officials.
- I will be tolerant of the mistakes made by players, officials and others.
- I will voice my concerns by providing constructive feedback through the appropriate channels of the league at the appropriate time.
- I will demand an environment that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use during all sports leagues, tournaments or events.
- I will leave the facility in as good or better condition than when I arrived.
- I will choose to be positive and kind.
Don't Be a Richard
What Kids Want to Know
Relax, It's Just a Game
Officially Human - Orchestra
Tools & Resources