Child & Youth Services Youth Sports program establishes NYSCA chapter to train volunteer coaches in youth sportsJoins national movement to educate adults on appropriate behavior

The Child & Youth Services Youth Sports program in Fort Greely has established an official chapter of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) to train volunteer coaches on the appropriate methods of working with children in sports.
The CYS Youth Sports program joins more than 2,200 organizations across the country that are conducting the NYSCA certification program to help ensure that volunteer coaches in their community have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

More than 1.8 million volunteer coaches have been trained by NYSCA, which is a program of the National Alliance for Youth Sports, a nonprofit organization that works to provide safe and fun sports for America’s youth.

Mary Lester will serve as the NYSCA Chapter Director for the CYS Youth Sports program.  Her primary responsibility will be to conduct NYSCA clinics, which provide coaches with critical information on everything from the psychology of coaching children and maximizing athletic performance to practice organization and teaching proper sports techniques. Coaches must successfully pass a written exam on the material to become NYSCA members, as well as sign the Coaches’ Code of Ethics pledging to adhere to a standard of behavior.

She will also be responsible for organizing impartial review committees to respond to any complaints about alleged violations of the Coaches’ Code of Ethics to help ensure that inappropriate behavior is not a part of any sporting event.  

Mary Lester said. “NYSCA’s program provides valuable information on all aspects of coaching youth sports, which today’s volunteers need to help ensure a positive and rewarding experience for all the youngsters on their team.”

NYSCA member coaches receive four issues of the Youth Sports Journal, which features important information on the many different aspects of coaching youth sports. NYSCA coaches also receive a $1 million excess liability insurance policy, and they’re eligible for the prestigious National Volunteer Youth Coach of the Year award.
For more information call (800) 729-2057; email nysca@nays.org; or visit the Alliance website at www.nays.org.