About Us

OUR NAME The name i9 Sports® is based on nine principles that best symbolize our core ideology:

Imaginative
Innovative
Interactive
Integrity-driven
Impassioned
Inspirational
Instructional
Insightful
Inclusive

Fun. We believe that the primary reason children play sports is to have fun. They love mastering new skills, developing friendships, and healthy competition.
Inclusivity. That’s our word for everyone’s right to play and have fun. Our program is for everyone, regardless of race, gender, religion, or ability level. No child will ever be excluded by a tryout, be made to feel like they aren’t good enough because of a league draft, or be cut from a team. We do our best to ensure that each child gets equal playing time.
Safety. We believe your child’s safety is paramount. As such, we background check each of the adults supervising your children and hire trained officials for each game to ensure that “safe play” is enforced.
Good Sportsmanship. We believe that learning to play the game is only half the equation. Helping children develop character is the other half. The value of teaching children teamwork, fair play and good sportsmanship goes far beyond the game.
Everyone is a Winner. Healthy competition is a natural instinct. However, the “win-at-all-costs” mentality so prevalent in youth sports today is not only destructive to team morale, it severely undermines individual self-esteem. We believe in a healthy competitive environment that allows everyone an opportunity to make the most of their abilities.

OUR PARENTAL PLEDGE

Team sports are one of the best ways to help children develop physically and emotionally. Youth sports develop life skills, promote a healthy lifestyle, and increase self-esteem. Unfortunately, as many as 50% of youth will quit organized sports by age 12 because of too much pressure and competition.

A survey* among youth athletes revealed that 84% say at one time they quit a team or wanted to quit. When asked why:

47% said because “it wasn’t any fun”
29% said some teammates were mean
23% said there were too many practices that interfered with other activities

Also, 31% wished adults weren’t watching their games – they said mostly because adults yell too much, are too distracting, make players nervous and put pressure on them to play better and win.

That’s why we ask you, as a parent with a strong influence on our young players’ experience, to take this pledge and help us make sure they have a fun, enjoyable i9 Sports experience!

* Source: 2012 i9 Sports Association, national survey of children, ages 8-14, who play team sports.

The i9 Sports Parental Pledge:

“I, the parent or guardian of an i9 Sports team player, agree that the most important outcome of any game is for my child to have fun. My child needs my approval and support, regardless of what happens in the game. I will refrain from the use of negative or derogatory language aimed at the Officials, the Coaches, my child, or other players. I will encourage my child and all others in the game and will let the coach be the coach. I will do my best to model the sportsmanship-like behavior I wish my child to adopt, and to support the coach in making this the best possible experience for my child.”