Both organizations recognized by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition for promoting participation in youth sports
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pleased to recognize the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute (NYSHSI) as two of the first organizations to join the National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) Champion program. HHS released NYSS in September 2019 in response to Presidential Executive Order 13824, which called for a national plan to increase youth sports participation. NYSS is the first federal roadmap with actionable strategies to increase awareness of the benefits of youth sports, increase youth sports participation, monitor and evaluate the participation, as well as recruit and engage volunteers in related programming.
“We know children who obtain regular physical activity gain important physical and mental health benefits, which are more important than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic,” explains Adm. Brett Giroir, M.D., assistant secretary for health at HHS. “I’m thrilled to acknowledge the work of the NYSS Champions who are furthering the mission of NYSS and helping to foster a lifelong love of sports and physical activity for our nation’s youth.”
NYSS aims to unite U.S. youth sports culture around a shared vision: That one day all youth will have the opportunity, motivation and access to play sports regardless of their race, ethnicity, sex, ability or ZIP code. NYSS Champions represent organizations working toward achieving this vision.
“ACSM and NSYSHSI share the vision to advocate for healthy lifestyles through sports, and we remain committed to promoting positive, inclusive and healthy environments for all youth to enjoy sports participation,” said ACSM President NiCole Keith, Ph.D., FACSM. “Together, children from any community can have fun, enhance skills and develop as capable and confident young athletes and in all areas of life.”
As NYSS Champions, ACSM and NYSHSI have demonstrated support of youth sports and a commitment to the NYSS vision. Both will be recognized along with other NYSS Champions on health.gov as part of a growing network of organizations partnering with HHS to improve the youth sports landscape in America.
“NYSHSI is honored to walk alongside many organizations to support and advance the efforts of the National Youth Sports Strategy,” stated William O. Roberts, M.D., M.S., FACSM, NYSHSI board chair and past president of ACSM. “Our NYSHSI leadership board and staff are committed to everything we can do to continue providing a positive and healthy environment for our kids to enjoy sports and be physically active.”
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About American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 50,000 international, national and regional members are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to improve educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. More details can be found at www.acsm.org.
About National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute
The National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute, a partnership initiative of the American College of Sports Medicine and Sanford Health, is dedicated to being the recognized leader and advocate for advancing and disseminating the latest research and evidence-based education, recommendations and policy to enhance the experience, development, health and safety of our youth in sports. Learn more at http://nyshsi.org/.
About the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition (PCSFN) is a Federal Advisory Committee run by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) and plays a vital role in keeping the nation healthy. PCSFN and ODPHP accomplish this by setting national health goals and objectives and supporting programs, services and education activities that improve the health of all Americans. PCSFN and ODPHP are part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To learn more about ODPHP visit health.gov.
The NYSS Champion is a service mark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Used with permission. Participation by ACSM and National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute does not imply endorsement by HHS/ODPHP.