You do it because you love children and you want to give them the rich experience associated with participating in team sports. - James Sidgwick, Founder of BSA
The Brussels Sports Association (BSA) was
established in 1958 to provide competitive team sports opportunities
for children of the international community. We now partner with several
international schools to provide 4 sports to all children from ages 4 -
12.
As a volunteer organization, BSA promotes fair play, skills development and fun for children and their families.
The
BSA does not merely operate a sports program for children. It seeks to
teach, through the direct interaction of adult commissioners, coaches
and team parents, certain values associated with team sports,
particularly values of fair play, team spirit and mutual respect. In
BSA's philosophy, each child's efforts are to be maximized and praised,
regardless of innate athletic ability. Sports Commissioners and Coaches
seek, through basic skills evaluations, to balance competing teams, so
that to the extent possible, a rough parity may be achieved.
The critical component of the BSA philosophy is that winning is NOT everything. Participating and effort are the keys and children are taught by the example of the BSA volunteers that losing a game or a season is far less important than the enjoyment one has in playing as well as one can. The joy of winning is the easy part; learning to lose gracefully is an equally valuable lesson for the children to learn. The BSA Board is careful to ensure that those who administer the sports programs practice the precepts of this philosophy.
The critical component of the BSA philosophy is that winning is NOT everything. Participating and effort are the keys and children are taught by the example of the BSA volunteers that losing a game or a season is far less important than the enjoyment one has in playing as well as one can. The joy of winning is the easy part; learning to lose gracefully is an equally valuable lesson for the children to learn. The BSA Board is careful to ensure that those who administer the sports programs practice the precepts of this philosophy.
Structure
The BSA was initially structured as a volunteer-run, non-profit
organization in 1958. Due to the rapid growth in membership and the
expansion of sports programs the Association established a Board of
Directors and filed for and received official status as a non-profit
organization within the Kingdom of Belgium in 1984. This status is
represented by the a.s.b.l. designation after our name.
Organisation
The BSA operates through the dedication of its managing director as
well as members who volunteer their time to serve as board members,
coaches, officials, team managers and supporters. The Board of Directors
consists of an managing director and volunteer officers. Directors
representing the seasonal sports (soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and
baseball) guide the sports programs aided by the managing director,
numerous league commissioners, coaches, schedulers and other
volunteers. In total, over 200 parents volunteer their time to make our
programs possible each year.
BSA is largely a volunteer organization. We depend on parents and other
family members to coach our teams and organize our sports programs.
Volunteering for BSA is a great way to meet families from all over
Brussels and a wonderful way to use your skills or learn new ones.
Please consider volunteering for one or more positions when you register
your child.
Funding
Since its conception, proceeds from BSA Corporate sponsorships,
membership fees and sports participation fees have been used to purchase
equipment and uniforms, recognition awards, provide certified referees
and officials, as well as to improve, develop and maintain sports
facilities at the various school locations within the Brussels area.