Kretzmann & McKnight: Key Principle

Sportsmanship Coach: Aligned Element

How They Match

1. Start with Assets, Not Deficits

Focus on athletes’ talents, passions, and values (e.g. Athlete Focus Survey)

Instead of treating athletes as needing ‘fixing,’ you start by discovering their creative strengths and leadership potential—just like ABCD starts with mapping community assets.

2. Associations and informal networks matter

Athletes as changemakers

ABCD sees every person as capable of contributing. Your model treats each athlete as a potential leader, influencer, and creative force for culture change.

3. Institutions as supportive partners—not leaders

Projects engaging teams, schools, clubs, and community groups

K&M say institutions should support, not control. Your model empowers youth to lead, while adults provide scaffolding, recognition, and opportunity.

4. Asset mapping is foundational

Athlete Focus Survey as a youth asset map

Your survey is a direct analog to ABCD’s community asset mapping—identifying the interests, talents, and values that can fuel leadership and creative projects.

5. Development through internal mobilization

Athletes designing and leading their own sportsmanship initiatives

Instead of bringing in outside solutions, your program develops capacity from within the athlete and their networks—mirroring ABCD’s belief in inside-out change.

6. Community building is central

Community engagement through public events, campaigns, media, murals, etc.

Both models aim to shift the narrative: not just compliance, but transformation through empowered local (or athlete) leadership.

7. Empowerment leads to transformation

“We don’t just want athletes to follow rules—we want them to reshape the game.”

Both models aim to shift the narrative: not just compliance, but transformation through empowered local (or athlete) leadership.