FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National Association for Sport and Physical Education Salutes New White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport

RESTON, VA, July 1, 2009 --The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) calls for national standards for sport coaches to be a key component of President Barack Obama's new Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport in the White House. Saluting the administration's plans to enhance opportunities and access for youth participation in sport, NASPE urges the new Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport to educate the American public about the importance of caring and professionally trained coaches so that all young athletes have quality sport experiences.

   "Over 50 million children under the age of 18 participate in organized sport programs," said NASPE President Steve Jefferies. "Parents across the country send their children to practices and events with the expectation that adult supervision will bring positive sport outcomes, maximal learning and skill development. Yet horror stories persist about dramatic increases in winning-obsessed parents, sport injuries, over-specialization of young athletes, and children quitting sports because they simply aren't fun anymore."

   NASPE looks forward to working with the Office of Olympic, Paralympic, and Youth Sport and other organizations such as the National Council for the Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE), www.ncaceinfo.org, to promote the importance of properly trained coaches. This new White House office provides an unprecedented opportunity to enhance policies and programs that will support sport organizations in their efforts to improve the sport experiences of athletes and promote health and wellness. A coalition of the United State Olympic Committee (USOC), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Federation of State High Schools (NFHS) and NASPE, NCACE promotes the development of coaching education programs and requirements based on the National Standards for Sport Coaches (NASPE, 2006), www.naspeinfo.org/coachingstandards .

   From establishing the first position paper on Standards for Youth Sport Coaches (1984) to publishing the second edition of the National Standards for Sport Coaches (2006), NASPE is an advocate for quality sport programs. In 2008 NASPE published the National Coaching Report, which provides a baseline of what is being done to train coaches at the youth and interscholastic sport levels. Sport officials, State Board/Department of Education administrators, legislators and parents can now view the requirements set forth by state at www.naspeinfo.org/coachingreport.

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Contact:
Paula Keyes Kun
Pkun@aahperd.org
703-476-3461

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE’s 15,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, administrators, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare professionals in these areas. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs. It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.

AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. To learn more, visit www.aahperd.org.