The Kindness Counts Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is a resource for leagues, recreation departments and others wishing to promote good sportsmanship. We seek to help adults help kids in youth sports and in life by demonstrating positive behavior that helps children have fun and feel good about themselves. Parents and coaches should make it clear that making mistakes is the way all of us learn. Teach kids how to deal with situations themselves, situations such as not making a team or not being in the starting lineup. In the latter case, they should talk to the coach themselves and ask what they need to practice to improve. This refers to travel teams. Rec coaches should give everyone equal time on the field.
Kindness Counts makes it easy for sports organizations to quickly upgrade their sportsmanship effort by taking advantage of our inexpensive booklet and video, and the other materials on our web site. It helps adults help kids get the most benefit from the youth sports experience regardless of their ability.
The foundation also is providing speakers, seminars, articles, and links to other sportsmanship programs besides SAGE, especially those run by nonprofit organizations.
The foundation also makes donations to worthy causes. We do so by following up media reports and other information we come across but we cannot accept requests for contributions at this time.
If you are starting or upgrading a sportsmanship program, don't hesitate to contact us with questions. We can answer them based on our knowledge of major programs in existence across the country.
Children enjoy sports mainly because they're fun, but adults sometimes rob them of the fun. Parents and coaches put too much pressure on them to perform, overemphasize the importance of winning, and fail to show respect for umpires, referees, players and others. Children often follow the bad example set by people who should be their role models.
Some of the foundation's resources were inspired by the SAGE (Set A Good Example) Program initiated in 2000 by the Mid-New Jersey Youth Soccer Association. The league directs coaches of its 850 teams to host meetings to enable parents, coaches and players to view the tape and read our booklet. The video and booklet help their kids build self-esteem while the children do the best they can with their sports experience.
A former officer of the Mid-New Jersey league, Mike Schapiro, was one of the two founders of SAGE and is the president of Kindness Counts. He produced and directed Kids Come First in his dual roles with the league and foundation.
His nearly 30 seasons as a coach along with experience as a league official, sportsmanship speaker to thousands of parents and coaches, and his 35 years in journalism helped him create the video and booklet. But his role as the father of three children, active in sports, may have been most important.
Working with him on the foundation board are nationally known youth sports advocate Bob Bigelow, and sports psychology professionals Dr. Eric Lasser, Dr. Jim Mastrich, Henry Rinder, and Dr. Caroline Silby, along with Robert Slater and Doug Abrams.
Professor Doug Abrams
- Professor of family law, juvenile justice, constitutional law, and legal history, University of Missouri School of Law
- Co-author of Children and the Law- Doctrine, Policy and Practice
- Youth ice hockey coach at all age levels since 1968
Joanne Balogh
- Cofounder of marketing services company specializing in the promotion of consumer products and entertainment vehicles to create awareness in areas including the sports arena.
- Twenty years sales and marketing executive experience for multinational consumer package goods and research companies.
- Mother of athletes in youth league sports.
Bob Bigelow
- Speaker - more than 500 talks nationwide based on extensive research on the effects of youth sports on children
- Author of Just Let the Kids Play, How to Stop Other Parents from Ruining Your Child's Fun and Success in Youth Sports
- Former NBA first round draft choice, player and still an NBA scout
Steve Geddes
- Director of recreation, Valley Center, Kansas and youth sports coach.
- Vice-Chairman of the Kansas Recreation and Parks Assoc. Youth Sports Task Force.
- National Youth Soccer Coaches Association certified coach and clinician.
Eric Lasser, Ph.D.
- Certified Consultant, Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology
- Member, American College of Sports Medicine
- Listed in the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry, 2004-2008
Jim Mastrich, Ed.D.
- Licensed Psychologist and Certified Consultant, Assoc. for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology
- Listed In the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry, 2004-2008
- Author, Really Winning: Using Sports to Develop Character and Integrity in Our Boys
Henry Rinder
- Co-coordinator leading up to the formation of the foundation.
- Treasurer of the foundation.
- Father of athletes in youth and college sports.
Caroline Silby, Ph.D.
- Nationally recognized expert on the development of the female athlete
- Former member of the National Figure Skating Team
- Author of Games Girls Play: Understanding and Guiding Young Female Athletes
Robert Slater
- Author of 17 books on major American business personalities, including Jack Welch, Donald Trump, and Bill Gates.
- Reporter for 20 years for Time Magazine.
- While not a Hall of Fame pitcher, he had fun for years throwing to his favorite neighborhood catcher.
To obtain our acclaimed booklet and video, go to Home Page.
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"We seek to help adults help kids in youth sports and in life by promoting positive behavior that helps children have fun and feel good about themselves."
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