Youth sports are supposed to be a space for children to receive many benefits, including teamwork, character and skill development, fitness, and most of all…fun. Unfortunately, despite the good intentions of many coaches and parents, youth sport is often delivered in ways that are not aligned with sound research and best practices. The result too often leads to poor communication and misplaced priorities when the adults are pitted against each other and kids are robbed of a positive experience. Dr. Amanda Stanec and Richard Way have been involved in sport—as athletes, coaches, consultants, and researchers—for their whole lives. They field questions every day from frustrated parents and exasperated coaches who want more for the kids they love. Protect the Joy provides expert answers and action steps on how to get our youth sports programs back on track. Blending key research that highlights a stage-before-age approach and tackling difficult issues head-on, Stanec and Way help coaches, parents, and sport directors better understand how the children under their watch can get the most out of the games they play. Instead of wins and scholarships, Stanec and Way call on coaches and parents to collaborate to create an environment of fun, empathy, and healthy physical, social, and emotional growth for all kids. When we achieve that goal, we protect the joy of sport, which is what invariably keeps kids in the game. “ Protect the Joy is an important resource in a time of crisis for youth sport. As I discovered with my own son, well-intended but misguided coaches and leagues can make a child hate a sport they once loved. I wish I had this resource when my son was struggling to find any joy in a sport he no longer competes in. As parents and guardians, we feel helpless on what to say or what to do. We want our children to participate in sport and get the most out of themselves that they can, but we don’t always feel like we have the right to ask questions or allow our child to be on a different path than their peers. The youth sports industry has gotten so big and powerful, but for many, joy has been left behind. This book is a guide on how to get that joy back and allow children to have a holistic approach to sports that will truly enhance their lives and help them to grow from sports in positive ways.” - Kara Goucher, two-time Olympian, World Championships 10,000m silver medalist, and bestselling author of The Longest Race “Dr. Amanda Stanec and Richard Way have provided a much-needed course correction for sport. In Protect the Joy , they expertly guide us on how to let our kids thrive and to utilize sport as a vehicle for growth and development over the long haul. This should be required reading for anyone involved in sport, especially parents and coaches.” - Steve Magness, bestselling author of Do Hard Things and Peak Performance “An inspiring and empowering read, Protect the Joy counters the increasingly prevalent ‘win at all costs’ youth sport culture, embraces a holistic approach to developmental sport success, and serves as a pragmatic source of truth for those who mentor young athletes. With its profound insights into character development, resilience, and the potential transformative power of sport, this book is a must-read for anyone passionate about nurturing the next generation of leaders on and off the field. In her role as an expert advisor for USADA’s TrueSport program, we’ve long known that Dr. Stanec brings great wisdom and wit to the youth sport landscape. I wholeheartedly recommend this remarkable work for its invaluable contribution to the conversation around ethical and sustainable sport systems.” - Travis T. Tygart, CEO, United States Anti-Doping Agency “Let’s bring back the joy! Finally, a book that guides us through the true meaning of growth and development in sport. Dr. Amanda Stanec and Richard Way share their expertise in a witty and authentic way. Protect the Joy is a must-read for anyone in youth performance.” -Dr. Beth McCharles, Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) “If only we could transport parents into the future to witness the impact of their child’s sports journey on the adults they will become, they would realize that what truly matters is the joy, life skills, and sense of security experienced by their child along the way. While time travel may elude us, Protect the Joy lays the pathway to ensure that every child lives the most fulfillment from their sports journey.” - Richard Monette, managing director of Activeforlife.com, and performance coach for Olympians and professional athletes Amanda Stanec, PhD, is founder of Move + Live + Learn. Dr. Stanec has published more than fifty articles, co-authored several book chapters, and led many resource and curriculum projects in physical education and sport. She has served as a board member for Physical & Health Education Canada, Wrestle Like a Girl, and the Black Wrestlers Association. Past clients inc