National Alliance for Youth Sports

Clarence McQueen, the 2008 NYSCA Coach of the Year, makes a positive difference in kids’ lives every day as a volunteer coach, church pastor and substitute teacher at the Fort Campbell Army Base in Kentucky.

The youth sports programs on America’s military bases are constantly challenged to fill coaching vacancies. With so many moms and dads regularly on deployment, available volunteers are considered a precious commodity – and Fort Campbell Army Base (Ky.) is no exception.

Luckily for the base, and the kids involved in the youth sports programs there, it is not unusual for Clarence McQueen to step forward and coach up to three teams in one season. That is just one of many reasons why McQueen is such a valuable member of the Fort Campbell community.

Both a spiritual and athletic mentor to the youngsters he coaches, McQueen coaches baseball, basketball and flag football teams for children ranging from 5 to 13 years old.

McQueen’s life is guided by one of his favorite sayings that is well-known throughout the Fort Campbell Army Base – “It’s all about the kids.”

These are words that he backs up every single day in everything that he does, so it’s only fitting that he was named the 2008 National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) Coach of the Year.

The prestigious award was presented to McQueen during the annual International Youth Sports Congress, held in early December in San Antonio, Texas.

Since retiring from the military in 1999, McQueen has maintained an active role on base by serving as a local church pastor, substitute teacher and youth sports coach. Since Fort Campbell is currently on its third deployment to Iraq, many who would normally volunteer to coach in the youth leagues are unable to do so – and McQueen is there to gladly step in.

“Every child that I have had the opportunity of speaking with really enjoys being a member of his team,” said Fort Campbell resident Lamar Foster. “The parents have nothing but great things to say about him for the way he is able to connect with the youth. It is an honor to have him stationed here at Fort Campbell, and a privilege to have him as a friend.”

Adds Emmy Martinez, vice president of education and membership for NAYS: “Clarence is one of those truly special coaches who understands what the youth sports experience is all about and what it takes to connect with children and make a positive difference in their lives. The youth in his community are lucky to have such a great mentor.”

After becoming certified through NYSCA, McQueen decided to further upgrade his skills and earned Gold Level status in 2005.

Sideline veteran

A veteran of the youth sports coaching sidelines for more than 10 years, McQueen somehow manages to fill in wherever he is needed, and he always makes a positive impression on the kids, regardless of their age, level of experience, or the sport they are playing.

McQueen has endeared himself to both youth who play for him and the adults living at Fort Campbell.

When community members were asked to nominate a local coach for this prestigious award, resounding responses poured in in favor of McQueen, a clear indication of how beloved he is in the community, and what a positive influence he is on the kids.

Whether in the classroom, at a church service, or on the playing field, McQueen exemplifies what a true role model is all about, and when practices and games are under way he exemplifies what coaching kids is really all about.

“His demeanor is one of superb character, owing to the fact that not only is he a coach, but also a minister, church youth director and a substitute educator,” said Carl Ransom, recreation assistant for Fort Campbell Youth Sports and Fitness. “He cares about the safety of all the children and teaching them life skills is a major focus for him.”

The National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) is pleased to announce a special partnership with the U.S. Army to provide positive, safe youth sports within the Army's Community and Family Support Center’s (CFSC) Child and Youth Services programs. Working with NAYS, the Army is utilizing training and education programs for youth sports coaches, officials administrators and parents; as well as the Start Smart Sports Development program for youngsters on the Garrisons. The partnership underscores the high importance of proper training and education in youth sports.

“It is imperative that we set high standards for the safety and well-being of children in our sports programs, and ensure their physical, cognitive, social and emotional health,” said Donna McGrath, with Army Child and Youth Services. “NAYS programs are in line with this objective, and the quality of training is unparalleled.”

McGrath says the Army was impressed by the characteristics of NAYS programs such as the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) and the Parents Association for Youth Sports (PAYS). “We initially chose NAYS as the provider of training programs because we were pleased with the standards of training in the NYSCA program. It makes certain that coaches are held accountable for their actions and attitude,” McGrath said. “And we have found that parents can get carried away when their children are participating in sports, which obviously isn’t good for the children. The PAYS program helps us to solve that problem.”

NAYS also offers some of the country’s premier sports education and development programs, including Start Smart Sports Development, which the Army is offering on all of its Garrisons. Start Smart programs are opportunities for parents and children to work together to prepare children for sports by teaching them basic motor skills and also sport-specific skills, with the intent of starting children on a lifelong path of health and fitness.

NAYS president and CEO Fred Engh said that through choosing to require NAYS programs on its bases, the U.S. Army is sending a powerful message about the importance of proper training for people who work with children.

“It is more important than ever to make sure that the people who are working with children in sports are educated and prepared for their roles as leaders in these kids’ lives,” Engh said. “With increased instances of violence among adults at youth sports events and negative environments, sports can end up doing more harm than good for some children whose coaches and parents haven’t been properly trained. And that should never happen.”

Engh said he is pleased to work with Army CYS to help children in the unique situation of having one or more active-duty parents to participate in healthy, stable activities. “Sports are important in the overall well-being and development of children, especially for those whose lives can feel unstable and uncertain because they have one or more parents in the military,” he said. “It is imperative that they have a positive, non-violent outlet.”
(back to top)

Start Smart complements U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal’s youth sports curriculum

Like all U.S. Army bases around the world, U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal uses Start Smart to introduce children ages 3-5 to the fun of sports participation. Military bases are often filled with sports-minded individuals who enjoy competition and physical exercise. Consequently, military parents are often eager to get their children started with sports as early as possible.

For this reason, Start Smart has been a perfect fit for Army bases worldwide that have easily implemented this motor skill development program into their existing curriculum – and U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal is no exception.

“When the Start Smart program was offered to Army installations it was a great addition and benefit to our program,” Blatz said. “It offered us completed lesson plans, equipment and guidelines. The Start Smart program has helped us to focus our attention on specific areas and proper form and introduction into youth sports.”

Around eight years ago, U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal was one of the first Army bases to begin using Start Smart. Prior to Start Smart their early childhood sports program simply consisted of general motor skill development, hand-eye coordination and balance exercises. Now, thanks to the materials and guidance of Start Smart, children are learning specific sports skills like how to throw a baseball, kick a soccer ball or shoot a basketball.

Because Start Smart consists of a comprehensive package of educational materials, equipment and instructions, the program was easy to implement into U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal’s existing youth sports structure. Years after introducing the program, Blatz is beginning to notice the positive effect that Start Smart has had on her entire department.

“Over the last couple of years, we have seen our first wave of children who participated in the Start Smart program participate in our team sports leagues," Blatz said. “This gives coaches an opportunity to expand on the basic fundamentals because the kids have already learned the basic skills.”

Blatz also believes that this proper introduction to sports ultimately helps with retention.

“The Start Smart program has also helped increase participation within our team sports leagues,” she said. “Kids are not so apprehensive to play because they already know how to do the basic necessary skills.”

Not only does Start Smart teach the young athletes of U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal proper skills, but it also educates them on aspects of sportsmanship, socialization and teamwork. With child obesity numbers growing every year, Start Smart also helps to instill active and healthy behavioral habits in kids at a young age.

Traditional Start Smart programs are designed for parents to participate in with their children. Due to the fact that military bases have to contend with the constant deployment of their adults, the Army has modified the Start Smart program to better fit their needs.

Because they cannot use parent-child tandems, U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal tries to keep a small child-to-instructor ratio. They also take measures to ensure that each instructor is fully qualified for the position.

“When we first started the Start Smart program, the Youth Sports and Fitness (YS&F) staff held a training for all Child, Youth & School Services (CYSS) staff to teach them basic skills of the program,” Blatz said. “This allows us to utilize any CYSS staff to run the program and meet ratios. During most sessions, there are two CYSS teachers who have been trained, as well as a YS&F staff member. Each instructor then gets a smaller group to work with during the instructional portion of the class.”

A typical U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal Start Smart session consists of warm-up stretches and running, 15 to 20 minutes of Start Smart instruction, and a game that incorporates the skill that was taught that day. In order to help the kids develop at their own pace, Blatz often identifies the more advanced athletes and groups them accordingly. This allows for kids who are ready to move ahead to the next lesson to do so while the other kids work on their current skill development lessons.

Although all Start Smart programs are popular, baseball and golf probably draw the biggest interest on the base – something Blatz attributes to the bats and clubs that the children get to take with them at the conclusion of the program.

“The kids enjoy the programs where they can see themselves improving the most,” she said. “The Start Smart program allows us the opportunity to see those improvements from the kids every day and take pride as administrators.”

After eight years of running the program, Start Smart has had resoundingly positive results for the U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal community. Parents are happy that their kids are developing healthy habits, kids are happy because they’re having fun, and the YS&F staff is happy because their sports leagues are reaping the benefits.

(back to top)

U.S. Army Garrisons implementing Start Smart on Installations to get children active

U.S. Army Garrisons across the world are implementing the Start Smart Sports Development programs in their Child Development Centers (CDC’s) and School Age Services (SAS) programs in an effort to get more children active.

According to the Army, it is introducing the Start Smart programs to teach developmental sports and fitness skills, and formulate a love for sports and fitness activities.

“This is one of our efforts to combat the growing percentage of obesity in children,” said Donna M. McGrath, Army Child and Youth Services (CYS) Sports and Fitness Program Manager. “One of the objectives of implementing the Start Smart program is to teach children that participating in sports and fitness activities is fun.

“By implementing fun, non-competitive sports and fitness activities, our goal is to encourage the children in our programs to establish healthy lifestyles that will last throughout their childhood into adulthood,” she said.

Start Smart, a successful program developed for children ages 3-5, teaches younger kids basic motor and sports skills in a team environment, with the intent of starting children down a lifelong path of health and fitness.

In addition to its general program, Start Smart offers sport-specific curriculum including football, baseball, soccer, golf and basketball.

The Army will add its own unique touches to the program, opening up Start Smart to participants ages 3-7, and utilizing teens as volunteer assistants.

Fred Engh, president and CEO of NAYS, said he is excited about the modification of the Start Smart program to fit the needs of the U.S. Army.

“Through some necessary and basic changes, the Start Smart program will now fill an important need at the Army’s Child Development Centers,” Engh said. “I think this is opening the door to having Start Smart present in several different environments we haven’t thought about until now.”

Army Garrison (CYS) Sports and Fitness Directors, and Training and Programming Specialists (“Trainers”) are collaborating to train direct in-ratio Child and Youth Program Assistants (CYPAs) on the Start Smart materials so they can implement the Start Smart program in each CDC and SAS program.

Last year, each Army Region sent 4H/Army Project Youth Development Specialists and Army Trainers to become “Start Smart Master Trainers” at special sessions held near the National Alliance for Youth Sports headquarters in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The ‘Master Trainers” conducted Start Smart Instructor clinics to Army Sports and Fitness Directors during the International Youth Sports Congress held in September in Alexandria, Va.

The 4H/Army Project Youth Development Specialists and Army Trainers are providing technical assistance to Garrisons within their Army Regions in an effort to make implementation of the Start Smart program seamless—and a welcome addition to daily activities plans within CDC and SAS programs.

Mary Ellen Pratt, Chief of U.S. Army Child Development Programs, said that the addition of the Start Smart program to the Army’s CDC and SAS programs will fill a need among younger children.

“Children develop in many ways – socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. We have well defined social, emotional and cognitive curricula at all of our child development centers. But with this program we’re working on something concrete for the physical component, and it’s really imperative,” Pratt said. “Many school-age children seem to spend time doing less active pursuits such as video games and using the Internet.

“Start Smart offers children as young as pre-school the opportunity to be active and develop specific skills such as throwing, catching and batting. Children who learn these skills early, in a non-competitive environment, develop the confidence to continue these activities throughout their lifetime. Physical activity is a key component to a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Presently, Army CYS has adopted the Start Smart Sports Development Soccer, Basketball, Baseball and Golf programs to be administered at all Army Installations.

Youth sports on Army bases worldwide are getting better because of the Army's partnership with the National Alliance For Youth Sports. Take a look at some real-life success stories!
(back to top)

Ft. Knox youth sports program receives money to mandate PAYS program

Terry Henderson, the youth sports and fitness director at Ft. Knox, Ky., has been a strong believer in educating and training youth sports parents for a long time. But until now, he couldn't require parents to participate in and become a member of the Parents Association For Youth Sports.

But that's about to change - the U.S. Army is now allotting money to its youth sports organizations for programs that include PAYS and the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA).

"I think it's great," Henderson said. "We let the parents know that if they want these kids to stay in sports and for it to continue to be an enjoyable experience throughout their (kids') lives, parents have to support them right now."

Currently, Henderson requires parents of young athletes to attend the coaches' meeting held before the start of all sports - including football, basketball, soccer, baseball and cheerleading - each year. During these meetings, he shows the PAYS training video and also discusses relevant issues among parents in youth sports, such as the importance of support and the negative impact of harsh comments and verbal abuse.

Henderson said it is important to be brutally honest when educating parents about the problems of parental misbehavior in youth sports. "We need to tell it like it is," Henderson said. "If we are going to educate the parents, we should be honest. I don't think it should be sugar-coated - I think they should really know what's going on out there.

"We're just trying to get kids past the 13-year-old threshold," Henderson said, citing a statistic that most kids quit playing sports at the age of 13.

Henderson acknowledges that parents at Ft. Knox have a new awareness of their actions in the youth sports environment. "What I have noticed is that when our parents go to youth sports, they are more reserved; more cognizant of their behavior," he said. "I have even heard them say to other parents, 'We don't do that here, you need to watch that behavior.'

"Our parents don't embarrass the kids," Henderson commented. "A lot of kids quit sports because parents embarrass them."

The Parents Association For Youth Sports is a membership organization that educates and motivates, and promotes understanding between coaches, kids and parents. PAYS members participate in an interactive video training clinic, and commit to uphold the Parents Code of Ethics. The program can be completed onsite or online. For more information, call (800) 729-2057, e-mail pays@nays.org; or visit the PAYS Web page.

(back to top)

Schweinfurt Child and Youth Services: 2004 Excellence in Youth Sports Award winner

The 280th Base Support Battalion Child and Youth Services (Schweinfurt Child and Youth Services) in Schweinfurt, Germany, was one of the 2004 prestigious Excellence in Youth Sports Awards.

The awards recognize outstanding organizations around the world that conduct diverse youth sports programs that focus on providing positive and safe experiences for all participants. The award is presented by the National Alliance For Youth Sports and Athletic Business magazine.

"The 280th Base Support Battalion Child and Youth Services staff has done an outstanding job with its youth sports programs and is very deserving of this award," said Fred Engh, founder and president of the Alliance. "They have demonstrated a strong commitment to the well-being of children and have embraced the importance of providing training to volunteer coaches, parents and youth league administrators."

Cal Ripken, Jr., baseball's all-time record holder for consecutive games played, presented Schweinfurt the Excellence in Youth Sports Awards in Orlando, Fla., at the annual Athletic Business Conference.

A Schweinfurt representative took part in a roundtable discussion as part of a special youth sports session at the conference.

Each Excellence Award winner received several prizes worth $4,200 to enhance their programs, compliments of the 2004 Excellence Award sponsors. Each recipient was also be recognized in Athletic Business magazine and the Alliance's publications, and each received an award to display at their facility.

Each year, the Excellence in Youth Sports Award committee reviews the applications that are submitted from throughout the United States, as well as from U.S. military bases in Japan, Germany and England. Parks and recreation departments, YMCAs, CYOs, Jewish Community Centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, independent youth leagues and U.S. military bases were eligible for the award.

For more information on the Excellence in Youth Sports Award, contact the National Alliance For Youth Sports at (800) 729-2057 or (561) 684-1141; e-mail excellenceaward@nays.org; or visit the Excellence Web page.

(back to top)