The TrueSport Mission
The TrueSport mission is simple and bold: to change the culture of youth sports by providing athletes, coaches, and parents with evidence-based educational tools and resources that promote life skills, positive values, and ethical behavior both on and off the field of play.
TrueSport is founded on three cornerstones:
What We Do
A sport outreach platform that mixes inspiration with education, TrueSport works to equip coaches, parents, and athletes with practical strategies for integrating values and life skills into everyday sport experiences. TrueSport draws from research and the voices of experts, coaches, educators, and athletes to develop resources and programs, including interactive lessons, coaching education modules, an extensive library of expert-based articles, and opportunities to engage with Olympic, Paralympic, and National Team athlete ambassadors. The program also connects a broad network of stakeholders, from schools to community organizations to elite sporting bodies, ensuring that the principles of TrueSport reach athletes at every level.
By focusing on education, mentorship, and community engagement, TrueSport seeks not only to develop better athletes but to nurture the next generation of leaders and responsible citizens. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that sport lives up to its promise of enriching lives, building character, and fostering a lifelong commitment to integrity and healthy living.
From Your First Jersey to Your Last
TrueSport is powered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), to extend its commitment to integrity and ethical standards in Olympic and Paralympic sport across youth and grassroots communities.
TrueSport is an outreach education initiative powered by the experience and values of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) – the country’s most trusted guardian of sport dedicated to preserving the integrity of competition at every level – and entrusted by the United States Congress to promote a positive youth sport experience through the provision of educational materials that reflect the TrueSport cornerstones.
USADA’s leadership established TrueSport in response to the 2010 “What Sport Means in America” study, which revealed a troubling gap between the ideals of youth sport and the reality experienced by young athletes. We discovered that 85 percent of youth sport parents thought that sport should reinforce positive values and life skills. But shockingly, only 35 percent of those parents believed that youth sports were meeting their expectations.
USADA considers this charge central to the very purpose of its existence, to not only preserve the integrity of competition, but to stand with athletes from the start of their career to the day they retire.
The Impact of TrueSport
Sport is not just about competition but about shaping individuals and communities. We frequently cite our willingness to “Champion Values and Value Champions.” TrueSport steadfastly believes that exposing young athletes to quality programming, rooted in value and skill-development models, and facilitated by educated and supported coaches, allows today’s youth sport athletes to emerge as tomorrow’s community and thought leaders. America’s next generation of global citizens deserve nothing less.
TrueSport is shifting the focus from a win-at-all-cost mentality to one that values personal growth, teamwork, and ethical achievement, while creating a supportive environment where young people can thrive. TrueSport’s importance can be understood through several key areas:
What People Are Saying
This was my third year in attendance. Each year I have been able to take so much back to my program, staff, and athletes. We are better because we attended.
TrueSport’s dedication and commitment to their educational initiative is obvious, and it was meaningful for the audience to be coaches this time around. As coaches, we need more reminders around mental wellness and this was the perfect venue to address these issues.
Exceeded expectations. Presenters were knowledgeable, prepared, and could make the material enjoyable. Most importantly, there were ‘actionable’ items in all sessions.
The TrueSport Team
Meet the passionate team behind TrueSport—individuals dedicated to empowering young athletes and transforming the culture of youth sports.
