The development of sportsmanship is an important part of youth development, and as such, is an important part of youth livestock programs. The dictionary defines sportsmanship as "conduct becoming to an individual involving fair and honest competition, courteous relations and graceful acceptance of results." To become successful adults, youth must develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations of sportsmanship, and become fair and generous competitors, good losers and graceful winners.

At one time, sportsmanship was taught and reinforced within families to such an extent that it was not necessary for it to be taught elsewhere. Incidents of poor sportsmanship in youth livestock programs were rare and usually resulted in parental and community censure of offenders, with no negative impact on the program or on the large majority of participants whose conduct reflected good sportsmanship. However, times have changed. Reports about incidents involving unsportsmanship like behavior by youth and/or their families or friends have become common. Youth professionals and volunteers are seeing an alarming decline in sportsmanship by participants and spectators at judging events, shows, fairs and other programs. If left unchecked, poor sportsmanship will have major long-term negative impacts on youth programs and the opportunities we provide for young people.

The purpose of this presentation was to help participants more effectively develop sportsmanship knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations with youth, parents, and spectators who take part in youth livestock programs. Copies of the following resource materials (which have received tremendous response and excellent evaluations as they have been introduced through State 4-H offices across the country in 1996) were shared, and training in using them provided a) Developing Sportsmanship Leader Resource for Professionals and Volunteer Program Organizers, b) Developing Sportsmanship Resource for Volunteers and Teen Leaders, c) Sportsmanship Expectations for Youth Participants, d) Sportsmanship for Parents & Supporters and e) Sportsmanship for Spectators.

The Developing Sportsmanship Leader Resource for Professional and Volunteer Program Organizers and the Developing Sportsmanship Resource for Volunteers and Teen Leaders are very similar, except that the resource for program organizers includes an extensive list of tips for planning and conducting competitive programs which are not included in the materials targeted towards volunteers who prepare participants for such programs, and sportsmanship brochure masters and sample news releases. Both resources include an introduction, and explanation of what sportsmanship is and why developing sportsmanship is important, a list of objectives, discussion of four steps to developing sportsmanship (Step 1. Demonstrate Sportsmanship, Step 2. Explain What’s Expected,

Step 3. Enhancing the Experience of Youth and Their Families During Competitive Programs, and

Step 4. Processing Learning With Youth and Their Families Following Competitive Programs), sportsmanship development activities to do with youth and their families, and an evaluation checklist.

Sportsmanship Expectations for Youth Participants, Sportsmanship for Parents & Supporters and Sportsmanship for Spectators are three brochures with specific tips for the audiences listed in the titles to use in demonstrating and developing sportsmanship. These were also distributed and reviewed during the presentation.

Master copies and diskettes with text for all of the materials were provided free of charge with permission to reproduce them to State 4-H offices nationwide in March, 1996. A limited number of additional copies are available for $15 per set from the Ohio State 4-H Office, 2120 Fyffe Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1084.