KIDSPORTS is extremely excited and proud to partner with the University of Oregon's Law School graduate program, "Competition Not Conflict."

Competition Not Conflict (CNC) promotes positive competition by empowering athletes, coaches, and community members to understand, prevent, and resolve conflict. (Check out their web-site at: www.competitionnotconflict.com)

CNC will be working with KIDSPORTS to strengthen the systems and procedures that assist youth sports organizations in dealing with conflict that occurs among participants, parents, coaches, fans and referees, while also identifying areas of potential skills trainings for individuals and youth participants.

CNC believes strongly in partnering with organizations to build systems that acknowledge conflict will occur and create an environment where it can be addressed positively. This also serves as a model for an external Ombudsperson's function within the organization.

An Organizational Ombudsperson is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and its stakeholders. The Ombudsperson facilitates resolution of conflicts and complaints in a neutral, impartial, independent and confidential manner, advocating not for one person over another, but for fairness in the process for all parties.

KIDSPORTS is pleased to introduce our very own University of Oregon Law School Competition Not Conflict sponsored Ombuds office:

The Competition Not Conflict Ombudsperson office is lead by two consultants, Cody Johnson and Jeff Sather. Cody and Jeff are both currently working on a Master's Degree in conflict and dispute resolution at the University of Oregon.

We will be serving as the Ombuds people for KIDSPORTS. Our role as the KIDSPORTS Ombuds is to listen well and help you develop the best strategies to make sure your concerns, complaints and conflicts are addressed in a fair and satisfying way.

As an Ombuds, we will provide informal, neutral, confidential and impartial support to any visitor. The KIDSPORTS Ombuds Office is a place where every KS stakeholder (participant, coach, parent, and official) can go for support in resolving conflicts that involve KIDSPORTS participation.

We look forward to providing services that will help participants further a culture of responsiveness, growth, and positivity at KIDSPORTS so that everyone can get the maximum benefit from participation.