Mission Statement

The International Sports Professionals Association (ISPA) believes that sports transcend mere games and are a vehicle for enriching life. As such, those professionals committed to serving sports take on a great responsibility. It is ISPA’s mission to make sure that professionals serving sports are qualified to accept this responsibility and as a result raise the standard of service that athletes receive.

PRINCIPLES OF PRACTICE

The International Sports Professionals Association (ISPA) accepts that competition underlies sports yet adheres to the conviction that sports professionals must provide service to athletes, fans and the community with the intent to promote athleticism in its pure form: sports participation for the betterment of mankind.

Sports should be a means of learning about life in general and be an integrated part of a healthy lifestyle for all.
The development of character and the enhancement of lifestyle is a major goal of sporting activities.
Athletes should be encouraged always give to their best ability, but to do so for the joy of competition, win or lose.
Honor and integrity are more important than winning.

Sportsmanship entails attitudes, which keep athletic endeavors in proper prospective.
Sportsmanship enhances overall mental and physical health and social development.
Honoring your opponent makes your victory greater. Win or lose, your participation in sports is a personal victory.
Using performance-enhancing drugs, or other unsanctioned advantages in competition or in recreation is unacceptable and dangerous to the individual and to society.
Athletes should be encouraged and advised to participate in sports within the limits of their best ability. Professionals should intervene with athletes to help them understand the limits to which they can aspire.
It is never necessary to demean, diminish, or otherwise emotionally abuse an athlete. ISPA does not accept negative motivational techniques. Aggression toward athletes is unacceptable.
It is never necessary to abuse an athlete physically. ISPA defines abuse broadly to include demanding the athlete(s) to put their body or their being at risk for harm.
Sport and sport professionals shall never discriminate on the basis of gender, race, nationality, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age or any other unjust condition of humankind.

The International Sports Professionals Association is pledged to build a system of care for athletes of all ages through establishing standards of practice, training and education for professionals, coaches, parents, fans and athletes.