. What is the National Alliance For Youth Sports?
. What is the mission of NAYS?
. What must happen to ensure that all children have a safe and rewarding sports experience?
. What is the NAYS outreach?
. Who does NAYS serve?
. Who are its members?
. How many members does NAYS have?
. What is the membership fee?
. What programs does NAYS offer?
. How do NAYS programs benefit a community?
. What are the Recommendations for Communities?

Q: What is the National Alliance For Youth Sports?
A: The National Allaince for Youth Sports (NAYS) is America's leading advocate for positive and safe sports for children. The non-profit organization is based in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was founded in 1981 as the National Youth Sports Coaches Association and evolved into NAYS in 1993.

Q: What is the mission of the Alliance?
A: The NAYS mission is to improve out-of-school sports for the more than 30 million youngsters who participate. NAYS believes that participation in youth sports develops important character traits and life-long values, and the lives of youngsters can be positively impacted if the adults caring for them have proper training and information.

Q: What must happen to ensure that all children have a safe and rewarding sports experience?
A: In order for children to reap the benefits of sports participation NAYS believes that children must be provided with a positive introduction to youth sports; that administrators, coaches, and game officials must be well trained in their roles and responsibilities; that parents must complete an orientation program to understand the important impact sports has on their child's development; and that youth sports programs must be conducted in accordance with the Recommendations for Communities.

Q: What is the NAYS outreach?
A: NAYS programs are provided at the local level through dynamic partnerships with more than 3,000 community-based organizations, which includes parks and recreation departments, Boys and Girls Clubs, Police Athletic Leagues, YMCA/YWCAs, and other independent youth service groups throughout the country. NAYS also has a strong presence on military installations worldwide, including every Air Force and Army base.

Q: Who does NAYS serve?
A: NAYS serves volunteer coaches, parents with children involved in organized sports, game officials, youth sports administrators, league directors, and the youngsters who participate in organized sports programs. NAYS programs add value to existing youth sports opportunities.

Q: Who are its members?
A: NAYS members consist of volunteer coaches who have been certified through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association; parents who have gone through the Parents Association for Youth Sports program; officials who have been certified through the National Youth Sports Officials Association; volunteer administrators who have been certified through the National Youth Sports Administrators Association; and professional administrators who have earned their Certified Youth Sports Administrator credential through the Academy for Youth Sports Administrators.

Q: How many members does NAYS have?
A: More than 2 million coaches have been certified by NYSCA; more than 65,000 families have gone through the PAYS program; and more than 2,000 administrators have earned their Certified Youth Sports Administrator credential through the Academy for Youth Sports Administrators.

Q: What is the membership fee?
A: The cost is $20 for coaches and officials to go through the NYSCA and NYSOA programs, respectively; $5 for parents to complete the PAYS program; and $395 for administrators to earn their Certified Youth Sports Administrator credential through the Academy for Youth Sports Administrators.

Q: What programs does NAYS offer?
A: NAYS offers a wide range of innovative educational programs. These include the National Youth Sports Coaches Association, a certification program for volunteer coaches; the National Youth Sports Officials Association, a certification program for officials; the National Youth Sports Administrators Association, a certification program for volunteer administrators; the Academy for Youth Sports Administrators, a certification program for professional administrators; the Parents Association for Youth Sports, a sportsmanship training program for parents; Start Smart Sports Development Programs, which help children as young as 3-years-old learn and develop basic motor skills needed for a fun and successful experience in organized sports; and Hook A Kid On Golf, a comprehensive program that introduces youngsters to the sport and provides opportunities for them to continue playing.

Q: How do NAYS programs benefit a community?
A: A model youth sports program is not something that anyone should just hope turns out well, because there is simply too much at stake when a child's emotional and physical well-being is involved. Through the NAYS programs adults - regardless if they are a volunteer coach, parent, administrator or official - gain a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. This clears the way for a positive and memorable experience for everyone. A top quality youth sports program is a positive reflection on the entire community and something that everyone can be proud of.

Q: What are the Recommendations for Communities?
A: The Recommendations for Communities represent what leaders in the parks and recreation field believe need to be adopted to help maintain order and civility in youth sports and ensure that all participants, volunteers and spectators have a safe and rewarding experience. The Recommendations were developed at the National Summit On Raising Community Standards in Children's Sports in Chicago in 2001. The Standards can be downloaded from the Alliance's website at no cost.