i9 Sports is making a difference and reclaiming youth sports for kids. Real change in youth sports can only be driven by those who provide the programs. So, we have taken a leadership role in reinventing youth sports from the inside out by focusing on these 10 critical improvements to the way our national youth sports leagues operate: FUN FIRST… we make youth sports kid-centered and fun. It’s the #1 reason kids play sports. And it’s the cornerstone of the i9 Sports difference. INCLUSIVITY… we believe every child, regardless of their ability, gender, or race should have an equal opportunity to play youth sports. We do not exclude anyone by holding try-outs or drafts and we aspire to give each child equal playing time. SAFETY… we believe injuries should never be an acceptable consequence of playing youth sports. We offer only non-contact sports and we put the physical and emotional safety of our players ahead of all other considerations. DEVELOPMENTAL INSTRUCTION… we believe sports programs should be tailored by age group, allowing kids to grow into their bodies, minds, and interests. We design our programs by age group and support our coaches with practice plans and instruction guides that have been designed for the physical and mental capabilities of each age group. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP… we believe sports must be about more than skills and score. We develop player character by teaching and celebrating good sportsmanship at every practice and game. CONVENIENCE… we believe youth sports participation should be easy and shouldn’t prevent the child or their family from having a balanced life. We hold practices and games on the same day. We do not hold fundraisers, nor do we require parents to sell concessions on game day. SPORT SAMPLING… we believe kids should be able to try multiple sports and various positions to discover their likes and to develop their physical literacy. We offer multiple sports, encourage cross-sport participation, and rotate kids through different positions in each sport they choose in each of our national youth sports leagues. HEALTHY COMPETITION… we believe learning how to win and lose with equal dignity is an important part of growing up. We keep score where it is age appropriate, but we never let the score become more important than having fun. LEAGUE CULTURE… we believe that creating a positive culture on the field starts with creating and maintaining a positive culture on the sidelines. We require all parents and coaches to sign a pledge acknowledging that youth sports are for kids, not adults, and that at this age, fun and building a love of the game are more important than the score. CELEBRATION… we believe showing up as a teammate, being a good sport, making the most of one’s abilities, and winning all deserve recognition. We recognize and celebrate all of them.