For Randy Little, training and educating his youth sports coaches is just the first step in ensuring that the children in his sports league enjoy a positive, safe and rewarding experience.

“Personally, I make it a habit to visit practices and engage in friendly chat with assistants and parents, as well as observing the interaction of coaches and players,” said Little, president of the Ozarks Football League, Inc. in Missouri. “I also make it a habit to watch the games and monitor sideline behavior, as well as sit in the crowd and listen. I also have an excellent relationship with the head of referees and get feedback after every game from officials.”

The City of Malibu Parks and Recreation Department (Calif.) recently donated more than 700 items to the Global Gear Drive, the charitable sports equipment program of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS).

 

With the help of Jimmy Loftus, a fourth grade student at Point Dume Elementary School, the City of Malibu collected new and gently used sports equipment for donation to less fortunate youth in the United States and around the world.

 

The Malibu Sports Gear Drive, which kicked off Nov. 26 of last year and ran through the end of January this year, collected 15 baseball helmets, 41 baseball bats, 64 baseballs, 22 soccer balls, 32 pairs of soccer cleats, 18 pairs of shin guards, 85 soccer uniforms – including soccer socks, 10 tennis racquets, 12 football helmets, 38 football jerseys and 26 basketballs, among other items.