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tatives of children's and youth organi- zations with the help of leading experts in youth sports. These standards pro- vide youth leagues with a basis to operate sports programs in the best in- terest of children. The National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) is a nonprofit association working in close to 2,000 communities through park and recrea- tion departments, YMCAs, and Boys and Girls Clubs. NYSCA is dedicated to improving sports for children. In a combined effort to make chil- dren's sports experiences more posi- tive, a national campaign called Say Yes to Herter Sports for Kids is b,,ing organized by National PTA and NYSCA. To study the effects of youth sports leagues operating within the :va- tional Standards for Youth Sports guidelines, the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention has recently awarded a contract to NYSCA. Nine model communities across the United States have been chosen to participate, and local PTAs in these nine com- munities will be given an opportunity to play a key role in the study. A report on these findings is expected in fall 1989. A PTA "Say Yes" steering com- mittee has been organized to help guide the program. What you can do s plans develop, a "Say Yes" implementation kit will be de- signed to assist PTA units and mem- bership in administering and over- seeing the implementation of the National Standards for Youth Sports. The kit will contain a complete "how to" list of items, such as a step-by-step video on using the Standards in a local sports program. If your PTA is in- terested in getting a "Say Yes" pro- gram started, write to the address at the end of this article. As a PTA president, board member or parent you can broaden your PTA's community involvement and, in turn, bring about the changes that will im- prove the quality of youth sports experience for hundreds of children in your community. ❑ Fred Engh is president and chief execurive affirer of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association and a former teacher and local unit PT,4 president. If your PTA is interested in getting a "50Y Yes" program started, request m for- ma"On by writing: NYSCA, 2611 Old Okeechobee Road, lir, palm Beach, FL 33¢09, A tr'n: "Say Yes. " pta today, April 1989 The National Standards for Youth Sports STANDARD #1—PROPER SPORTS ENVIRONMENT Parents must consider and carefully choose the proper sports environment for their child, Including the appropriate age and development for participation, the type of sport, the rules in the sport, the age range of the participants, and the proper level of physical and emotional stress. STANDARD #2—PROGRAMS BASET] ON WELL-BEING OF CHILD Parents must select youth sports programs that are developed and organized to enhance the emotional, physical, social and educational well-being of children. STANDARD #3—DRUG- A ALCOHOL -FREE ENVIRONMENT Parents must encourage a drug. and alcohol -free environment fortheir children. STANDARD #4—PART OF CHILD'S LIFE Parents must recognize that youth sports are only a small part of a child's life. STANDARD #S—TRAINING Parents must Insist that coaches are trained and certified. STANDARD #8—PARENTS' ACTIVE ROLE Parents must make a serious effort to take an active role -in the youth sports experience of their child providing positive support as a spectator, coach, league administrator andlor caring parent. STANDARD #T—POSITIVE ROLE MODELS Parents must be a positive role model exhibiting sportsmanlike behavior at gamse, practices and home while giving positive reinforcement to their child, and support to their child's coaches. STANDARD #8—PARENTAL COMMITMENT Parents must demonstrate their commitment to their child's youth sports ex• perionce by annually slgning a prrr+rntai code of ethics. STANDARD #9—SAFE PLAYING SITUATIONS Parents must Insist on sale playing facilities, healthful playing situations and proper first aid applications, should the need arise. STANDARD #10—EQUAL PLAY OPPORTUNITY Parents, coaches and league administrators must provide equal sports play opportunity for all youth regardless of race, creed, sex, economic status or ability. STANDARD #11—DRUG, S ALCOHOL -FREE ADULTS Parents as coaches, fans and league administrators must be drug• and alcohol. free at all times. A "Say Yes" kit will assist PTA units in administering and overseeing the National Standards. If your PTA is int_erast2d, write 1MYSCA. VA1101YPT Say to Better Sports for Kids oOo Reprinted with Permission, Copyright 1989, The National PTA