With flu season here and all the attention being given to the H1N1 virus, or Swine Flu, leagues need to address how to prevent illnesses – and the spread of them – in their youth sports programs.
The key is taking a proactive approach to help minimize illnesses spreading. Many resources have recently been released that provide information about influenza, as well as the H1N1 strain. The
Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a wealth of information on its Web site and most school districts have released information as well.
Here are some general prevention tips for youth sports:
- Encourage coaches and parents to remind young athletes about healthy habits like frequently washing their hands and covering sneezes and coughs by using their arms rather than their hands
- Do not share drinks, including water bottles, etc.
- Keep hand sanitizer and wipes readily available at practices and games for team use.
- At the end of a game, encourage every player to use hand sanitizer/wipes before they engage in the post-game handshakes.
- Wash uniforms, equipment and any other gear that is shared after practices and games
- Encourage parents to keep players home when they are not feeling well or have flu-like symptoms.
Having a community prepared for situations such as the H1N1 virus underscores the importance of having at least one Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) on staff in every youth sports league. CYSAs are certified through the Academy for Youth Sports Administrators (AYSA) –a comprehensive certification program that offers cutting-edge information on critical topics for youth sports administrators today.
The Academy’s primary goal is to provide attendees with a foundation and tools needed to positively impact the youth sports experience for all children in their communities. The Academy educates recreation professionals in key areas like protecting your league’s players during flu season, and much more.
