Overview
Many youth sports programs today are run by a group of volunteers who dedicate an enormous amount of time to the league. Volunteer administrators take on a variety of duties - from being the President of the league, to sitting on the Board of Directors in positions like treasurer, equipment manager or fundraising/sponsorship coordinator, just to name a few.
Volunteers administrators are often parents with a child in the league. Many have little or no formal training in the administration of youth sports. Also, these volunteers may also be personally liable for the actions of the program. For all of the above reasons, NAYS developed the National Youth Sports Administrators Association (NYSAA) to specifically provide education and liability protection for individuals who volunteer to be part of a league's leadership team.
NYSAA is a membership organization of volunteers responsible for the planning and implementation of out-of-school sports programs. The program provides training, information, and resources for volunteer administrators such as league presidents, boards, commissions and representatives. The NYSAA program works to help administrators set and maintain high standards for their youth league for the benefit of all involved, especially the children in their care.
How It Works
Youth sports administrators participate in the interactive NYSAA Online Clinic, successfully complete each of eight section quizzes and sign the NYSAA Code of Ethics Pledge. The clinic topics address issues that administrators face every day, including:
Volunteer Coach Management
Participants/Kids
Officials
Parents
Volunteer Boards
Embezzlement Protections
Insurance
Fundraising
Marketing/Social Networking
The NYSAA Online Clinic typically takes around 3-5 hours to complete in its entirety but can be completed at any pace due to the ability to sign in and out of the program.
Clinic Format
You can choose to complete the eight sections in any order you prefer, as well as at your own pace. Once you complete a section, a green check mark (see the sample on the right) will appear on the main menu next to that section's title. In addition, each section is broken down into chapters, which are designated by bold headers announcing the beginning of new subject matter. You’ll also see the chapter headings on the left-hand side of the menu bar for that particular section you are going through. Each of the sections has text, written in an easy-to-follow format, as well as the following:
Video clips: These feature insights from top experts in their field. You can click on the video link to listen to their thoughts; and the interview transcription is also provided below each clip if you prefer reading what they had to say or have a slow internet connection.
Navigation buttons: At the end of each chapter you’ll have a “Next” button to click to advance to the next chapter. You’ll also see a “Back” button if you would like to return to some previous material. These buttons are the only way to get from chapter to chapter once inside a section.
Tips: You’ll see these indicated by the icon on the left. These tips are which are valuable bits of information that can save you time, ease frustration levels and increase your effectiveness as a youth sports administrator.
Learning Points: At the end of each chapter you’ll come across a Learning Point. These represent an important piece of information we hope you’ll take away from going through that particular subject.
Supplemental Reading: This is additional reading material provided if you are interested in learning more about a particular subject.
Section Quiz: At the conclusion of each section is a five-question quiz with both True and False and multiple choice questions. Click on the answers you think are correct and when finished hit the “Submit” button. If you correctly answer all questions you have successfully completed that section of the course. If you answered any incorrectly you’ll be asked to attempt those questions again. Once you have successfully completed a section you’ll see a green check mark in the box next to that section on the left-hand menu bar of your main log in page.
Once you have successfully completed all eight sections you have passed the course and become an NYSAA member.
Overview
