The past two years the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission has been developing a program that will help enhance youth sports throughout Maricopa County. In 2009, the Sports Commission hosted the inaugural Youth Sports Summit. The all day event had more than fifty of Maricopa County’s most influential youth leaders from more than forty different sports organizations in attendance. In 2010 the Youth Sports Summit grew to more than one hundred attendees and added coaches training and collaborative marketing elements to the program. The Summit is an opportunity for the youth sports community to gather together with their peers to address areas of need within Maricopa County youth sports.
In 2009 the Summit attendees designed the Champions Circle membership program. The Champions Circle was developed to establish a standard of certification in the areas of background checks, insurance, codes of conduct and coaches training to be practice throughout all of Maricopa County’s youth programs. Over the next year the Sports Commission implemented this program based on the diligent work the Summit provided in 2009. The Sports Commission has put together a basic code of conduct sample and guidelines for use, developed partnerships with LexisNexis for background checks, the Risk People for insurance, and Positive Coaching Alliance for coaches training. All together, the Champions Circle membership offers youth leaders, venues, officials, volunteers, and parent the opportunity to enhance the safety of youth sports throughout Maricopa County.
In the spring of 2010 the Sports Commission held an inaugural “Golden Ticket Raffle” to raise money for youth sports. The Champions Circle was engaged to help raise funds for future youth programming.
At present, the Sports Commission along with the Champions Circle members are developing the ideas and focus areas that came out of the 2010 Youth Sports Summit. Some of these programs will address the need to get more youth active and “off the couch”, increase networking among youth sports leaders, and increased media exposure for youth sports throughout Maricopa County (see Youth Tip Sheet below).
Youth Sports Awards
The Phoenix Regional Sports Commission, together with Grand Canyon University would like to recognize exceptional youth athletes, coaches, and youth sports contributors. These individuals would be recognized for their tremendous dedication to positive leadership and outstanding character, as well as acknowledging their commitment to “enhancing our community through sports.” Monthly awards will be given to individuals in each category. All monthly winners will also be invited to attend an awards banquet held in August. Please fill out the below information to nominate an individual for one of these awards. Register to become a Champions Circle member to apply!
Nominate your youth athlete, coach or contributor now!
Youth Sports Tip Sheet
Does your organization have a story to tell? Submit a Youth Sports Tip Sheet to recognize your team, program, event, individual or to share your news! This tip sheet is available to Champions Circle members to allow them to engage the media in their programs and activities. Submit the below Tip Sheet by the 15th of each month in order to have your information reviewed for publication!
The Champions Circle is designed to standardize the fundamental elements of operation and safety for our area leagues, tournaments, clubs, venues, volunteers, coaches, and administrators. The Champions Circle has set standards in the following areas of:
- Coach training
- Insurance
- Background checks
- Codes of conduct (for players-coaches-fans and safety standards for play.
This certification sets a gold standard for how we conduct youth sports, both recreational and competitive, in the Valley of the Sun.
Register to Become a Champions Circle Member
Register to Become a Member Profile Login
Member Benefits for 2010-2011 Include:
• One invitation to the Annual Youth Sports Summit
• Invitations to quarterly Champions Circle events
• Use of the Event Calendar ( to post your events
• Discount to Sports Commission equipment program
• Access to event registration tool (limited availability)
• Ability to post venue and program information on Sports Commission website
• Access to group buying program
• Access to coaches training programs
• Affordable background check programs
• Preferred insurance partner available
