What is Sports-Based Youth Development?

I was fortunate to grow up with sport in my life. From softball, tennis to gymnastics I didn't start golfing until an adult and continued to experience what sport gives me personally and professionally.

At Girls in the Game, we use a model called Sports-Based Youth Development or SBYD. This means that we use sport as a tool to develop positive outcomes in girls' lives. For SBYD organizations, the goal is not to create all-star athletes, but instead to help participants practice vital social-emotional skills through sport. SBYD organizations are different from a standard youth sports team in that our curriculum, coach training and safe space practices purposely center social and emotional development over athletic development. Ultimately, the goal is that girls grow up happy, healthy and strong, and sport is the tool we use to get there!