The Children's Bill of Rights in Sports

Protections against Participation Fees

The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports is a set of guiding principles created to ensure that all children have a positive, safe, and enriching experience in sports. Originally developed by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative, it outlines what every child deserves when participating in sports, emphasizing inclusion, safety, and personal growth over competition.

Our goal is for every professional sports team in Indiana to sign this pledge, setting the example for all schools and leagues across the state to abide by this document.

Legislation should be passed to protect against exorbitant youth sports participation fees to ensure all children, regardless of income, have equal access to the physical, social, and emotional benefits of organized sports. High fees create barriers that disproportionately exclude low- and middle-income families, reinforcing inequality and limiting talent development. Sports are ultimately education on life skills and all children should have access to this resource.

Updates on legislation will be posted here and sent in the newsletter.