Sport4All is a nonprofit, Federal tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to provide every child with the opportunity to play sports in an environment that is developmentally appropriate and fun for all. For decades, both the popular press and pediatric sport scientists have been calling for dramatic changes in the youth sport opportunities offered to children. Existing programs have been too competitive and too stressful because they are designed according to how high school, college, and professional athletes play sports. Experts have pleaded for programs that are child-centered, developmentally appropriate, and most of all fun; and to eliminate programs that implicitly and explicitly categorize young children and teams into winners and losers.
We follow the guidelines published by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE); the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); and the American Academy of Pediatrics; these guidelines recommend that developmentally appropriate youth sport programs be developed.
Founded in 1990, Sport4All has evolved into a program that is entirely child-centered and applies research being conducted in the areas of play, child development, and youth sport. Sport4All programs combine age-appropriate, non-competitive, play-based, family-oriented activities that are fun and enhance the child's overall well-being.
Parents (or parent-substitutes) are the play-partners for young children; playful games and interactions are role-modeled by specially trained “play leaders”.Older children play with peers and their parents.
The developmental challenge for children under age 7 is to gain control of their body and their ball.We have a huge collection of activities that make body and ball mastery both fun and challenging.
For 7-12 year olds, we provide the opportunity to learn the fun-damentals of sport in a play-based setting…learning teamwork, cooperation, gracious winning and losing…testing out their bodies and decision-making skills in a non-competitive atmosphere. Our non-league structure allows players to play full-out,try new moves without fear of being chastised, and play with their friends.
Sport4All Coaches
Youth sport programs use the term “coach” to identify the person that we call a games teacher or play leader.We have adopted the well-researched The Games for Understanding approach that reveals that the “game” is the best teacher when the games are age appropriate and properly sequenced.
Everyone loves to play. While playing, children obtain immediate feedback about the success of their skills, tactics, and strategies. Too often adults get in the way of this feedback loop when they verbalize their tips and instructions to the players in the midst of play.When this happens, the natural feedback loop of play is broken and the amazing learning potential of play is compromised.
Consider being a Sport4All coach… we provide time-tested training, manuals and practice plans. Enjoy having a positive influence on the development of young children, experiencing joyful play within yourself, and growing your relationship with your own child.
Board of Directors
Dufour Woolfley, President
Sandy Lundahl, Secretary Mike Guerrieri, Board Member
John Dutrow, Sport4All Program Director (ex officio)
Sport4All...Starting Kids Out Right! 3700 Idolstone Lane * Bowie, Maryland 20715 Tel: 301-262-5050 * Fax: 301-262-2745 Email: info@sport4all.org