ACSM and National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute Named NYSS Champions
Posted: September 17, 2020 in Suppliers
American College of Sports Medicine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recognized 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.”
