Logo
Log inFind My Team
  • Solutions
    • For Business
      For Business

      Tools for clubs, leagues, tournament organizers, and associations to run their business

      For Teams
      For Teams

      For coaches, players & fans to stay connected on our top-rated mobile app

      Promo image
      • Overview
      • Program ManagementManage all aspects of your organization
      • SponsorshipAccess our network of opportunities
      • RegistrationPayments, dues, and more
      • TournamentsBuild and manage your events
      • PaymentsA better way to manage payments
      • Website BuilderProfessional & mobile friendly sites
      • SchedulingAutomate games & practices
      • Services & SupportIndustry-leading account support
      • MessagesSimple, reliable communication
      • Get started!Chat with our team right now
  • Pricing
  • Resources
    • Community

      Our mission is to enhance the lives of kids by enabling participation in sport

        Other resources
        • Blog
        • Coaches’ Corner
        • For Business Resources
        • TeamSnap Updates
        • Help Center
        Company
        • About
        • Careers
        • Partners
    • For Brands
      • Build relationships in the moments that matter.

        Convert families into superfans with TeamSnap for brands.

          • OverviewThe #1 way to reach the Chief Household Officer
          • AudienceLearn about our audience and network
          • CapabilitiesExplore our products and measurement solutions
          • Download Media Kit

      Find My Team

      Contact salesLog in
      Contact SalesLog in
      BlogClubs & Leagues
      • General Sports
      • Health and Safety
      • Coaching
      • for Business
      • Announcements
      Featured image: How To Prevent Stealing From Youth Sports Organizations

      Nov 07, 2016 • 4 min read

      How To Prevent Stealing From Youth Sports Organizations

      /images/teamsnap-badge.png
      TeamSnap

      Posted in:
      • Clubs & Leagues

      Sports Org Insider

      Get Monthly Insights, Tips and Best Practices to Help You Run and Grow Your Sports Organization

      It’s always a shock when you hear about it. A trusted volunteer, league administrator, or coach is stealing from the local youth sports league. Unfortunately, this is a reality and something that every parent and league administrator should be aware of.

      According to the Center for Fraud Prevention, there have been hundreds of arrests and convictions in 43 states involving 15 sports over the last five years. Although shocking, these numbers are much lower than the actual number of cases as the majority go unreported.

      So what can we do? The repercussions of not catching this type of fraud ahead of time is dire. Some leagues have dissolved as a result. Most of them survive, but come up short in terms of funding for equipment, uniforms, and fields.

      We’ve seen this happen a couple of times at LeagueSide, so we’ve done our best to compile a list of best practices to prevent any type of embezzlement or stealing from youth sports organizations.

      Step 1: Implement a system of checks and balances

      Typically, a little league or youth sports league is a non-profit comprised of a Board of Directors. The board’s roles are divided across a variety of functions including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

      It’s important to note that these people are volunteers. It’s tempting due to restraints of time to divvy up responsibilities. However, we strongly recommend implementing a system of checks and balances and always involving multiple people in the process when money is involved.

      Typically, the treasurer of a league will have a background in accounting and handles the day-to-day bookkeeping. It’s important that the entire board sets aside time to go through the finances and bank statement together.

      As a general rule, whenever a money transaction occurs, someone else should be involved. This includes registration, fundraisers, sponsorships, paying for refs, managing the concession stand, and buying equipment.

      For example, LeagueSide always involves multiple board members in the sponsorship process to prevent any type of behind the scenes theft and to hold people accountable to their sponsorship duties.

      Step 2: Run background checks

      There are several tools for background checks. In the youth sports space, there is Protect Youth Sports or SSCI. These background checks can cost anywhere from $7.95 to $20 depending on the thoroughness of the screening.

      Background checks will catch anyone with a previous criminal history, but we have noticed that the majority of embezzlement cases involve a parent that has fallen on hard times. That means background checks aren’t perfect.

      Nonetheless, we recommend implementing background checks for any league administrator or coach involved with your organization.

      Step 3: Use an electronic payment system

      The best way to keep tabs on the flow of money through your league is through an online payment system.

      Never, never, never allow coaches or administrators to collect money in-person. Advertise this to all of your vendors, coaches, administrators, and families.

      An easy payment process to set up is PayPal.  If you’re using a league management software for your website, chances are that this software has a payment processor as well.

      If you’re looking for a payment processor for your sports league, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We can make a recommendation 🙂

      Step 4: Train your volunteers

      It is important to remember that the board of directors, league administrators, and coaches are volunteers too. The majority have little or no experience working within the parameters of a non-profit.

      The National Alliance for Youth Sports actually offers training for volunteer administrators. There is no cost for one person from your league to attend and features insights on how to better manage your organization including preventing embezzlement.

      Proper training and preparation for their new role can go a long way to preventing embezzlement and creating better programs for your kids.

      What else?

      These tactics won’t guarantee that you’ll be able to prevent fraud and embezzlement for your youth sports organization, but these are some of the best practices we’ve seen.

      We want to hear from you. What other ways have you seen work well to prevent this type of theft?


      Download our app

      app-storegoogle-play

      Share this post


      Create Your Team Today!

      It’s Free and Free is Good!

      Sign Up Your Team!Free and Paid Plans Available
      Products
      Sports Organizations
      • Get a demo
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Tournaments
      • FAQs
      Coaches or Team Managers
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Tournaments
      • Get Started
      Parents or Athletes
      • Features
      • Pricing
      • Find My Team
      • Get Started
      Sports
      Sports Organizations
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Football
      • Ice Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Volleyball
      Teams
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Football
      • Ice Hockey
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • +100s more
      Resources
      • Blog
      • Coaches’ Corner
      • Return To Play
      • For Business Resource Library
      • Skills & Drills
      • Press Releases
      • TeamSnap Updates
      • TeamSnap Help Center
      • Community
      • Why TeamSnap?
      Company
      • About
      • CareersHiring!
      • For Brands
      • Partners
      • TeamSnap API
      • Responsible Disclosure Policy
      • Youth sports team and sports org app Apple App Store Logo
      • Youth sports team and sports org app Google Play Store Logo
      • social-media-facebook
      • social-media-twitter
      • social-pinterest
      • social-instagram
      • social-video-youtube
      • professional-network-linkedin
      • social-tiktok

      TeamSnap Footer Logo

      Copyright © 2005–2025 TeamSnap, Inc.

      • Sitemap
      • Terms
      • Privacy Policy
      • California Privacy Policy
      • Your Privacy Choices