SCORES Core Values
Teamwork — Poet-Athletes work collaboratively with others, striving together for the benefit of the whole.
Leadership — Poet-Athletes have opportunities to practice leadership skills.
Commitment — We show up for our teammates and our community.
An incomplete list of more youth development values that we strive to incorporate into our program culture:
Belonging — SCORES provides opportunities for Poet-Athletes to develop a sense of belonging.
Encouragement — SCORES coaches encourage Poet-Athletes to do their best.
Engagement — Our activities promote active engagement.
Fair Play — We believe in positive and healthy and competition.
Joy — We want everyone to experience joy through playing soccer, writing poetry, and helping the community.
Safety — We promote physical, social, and emotional health and safety.
Skill Building — SCORES Coaches support Poet-Athletes in building skills.
Welcoming — SCORES Coaches give warm welcomes and create an inclusive atmosphere.
Youth Choice — Poet-Athletes have opportunities to make choices based on their interests.
Youth Voice — Poet-Athletes can express themselves and their unique identities.
SCORES Coaches coach with FIRE.
F. Foster independence: Let them choose and solve problems. For instance, allow them to choose between different exercises or ask how they would overcome specific challenges.
I. Inspire with encouragement: Provide positive feedback and encourage frequently. Be sincere and focus on what they do right. Highlighting the good work can motivate them to keep improving.
R. Respect and Reward: Value their thoughts, reward effort and proper technique, not just outcomes—praise not only the results but also the process and dedication.
E. Engage Enthusiastically: Your enthusiasm fuels their passion. Smile, interact, and listen. Your energy and genuine interest in their development will create a positive connection.
A coach’s role is more than teaching skills. It is about lighting the fire of passion, self-belief, and joy. So, stay ignited, and keep our Poet-Athletes FIRE-d up!
*Thanks to Total Uplift for this great coaching framework.
* “Girls” refers to gender-expansive youth (cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth and any girl-identified youth).