Partnerships provide new funding: this past year has created new opportunities for grants and growth through the National Partnerships Department.

Last year in Reno, the National Partnerships breakfast drew 100 attendees, all interested in learning about partnership possibilities. This year, however, the room was packed at more than 350 people who attended to celebrate partnership successes, and learn more about new opportunities.

Since last year, participation in the sports and health network has grown by 414 percent, which means that 3,100 park and recreation agencies are somehow involved in national partnership initiatives.

In addition to increasing participation, Kathy Spangler, director of the department, announced that NRPA has increased collaborations between the academic world and practitioners. Here are some of the projects:

* Comprehensive evaluations of environments for active living

* Evaluation of the International Food Information Council's online resource called Leader's Guide to Healthy Eating & Active Living Program

* Study by Illinois University to look at ways park managers can increase understanding among the African-American and Latino communities

* Creation of an assessment tool for youth sports

* Launch of a Center for Leisure and Healthy Lifestyles

* Study funded by the National Recreation Foundation to learn about partnerships for health

* Organization of a workshop on trans-disciplinary research for active living

* Collaboration with Emory University on a National Cancer Institute funded diffusion study for skin cancer prevention

Although there seems to be a lot going in the academic side of things, Spangler said that there were two sides to every coin. "These research projects serve as a compass to guide the development of our national initiatives,"

Spangler said. "While our partners on the other hand provide the fuel to add value to what local park and recreation departments already do well."

Some of those partnerships include:

* Starter and Minor League Baseball, which helped distribute more than 27,500 minor league game tickets in 55 communities to local volunteers, staff and youth

* United States Disabled Athletes Fund, which introduced BlazeSports Clubs of America to new communities nationwide. In three years, a project that was successfully developed in Georgia has expanded to over 43 communities nationwide, with an expansion of ten more sites in 2006

* Major League Baseball, which expanded the Pitch, Hit and Run program to reach 1,400 park and recreation departments

* National Basketball Association (NBA) that assisted youth basketball coaches with local programs, benefiting more than 200,000 youth

* Hershey's Track and Field Youth Program, where an estimated 400,000 youth compete every year In addition to recognizing these program partnerships, Spangler also commented that strategic partnering has brought added visibility to NRPA and participating communities. This year, NRPA will work with the PGA to help members improve golf course operations and attendance.

Many heard about the Sports Illustrated GOOD SPORTS Initiative presented by Dodge last year, but the good news continued--in addition to 1,400 communities registering to join the national effort, eight are recognized in this month's Sports Illustrated as shining examples in the area of youth sports (see page 64 for a listing).

Thanks to NFL Youth Football, several Step Up to Health summits were held throughout the country this year. These one-day summits successfully helped communities to launch a grassroots initiative to position themselves as leaders in health. Spangler said, "These were not your typical training programs, but were designed to rally our field and allies to add value to what already is in place by emphasizing health and leveraging our leadership potential to mobilize communities." In addition, more summits will be announced soon for 2006.

One of the biggest accomplishments of 2005 was the partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which tripled to include 1,288 communities. The Tennis In the Parks program helped create quality tennis programming, enhanced the public tennis facility infrastructure and expanded advocacy for the sport. USTA invested more than $2 million in grants to 39 different projects.

Franklin Johnson, president and CEO of USTA, said, "We think we have a great story in tennis as a lifetime sport. I look forward to our relationship to expand sport in public parks, and I can assure you that our entire board is committed." (See sidebar for USTA board members who attended NRPNs Congress in San Antonio)

In addition to explaining USTA's involvement, Johnson also introduced Mary Jo Fernandez, Olympic gold medalist in doubles tennis, who has worked with USTA to promote the sport. Growing up on public courts, Fernandez stressed the importance of a sport like tennis that all levels, ages and groups can play. "It's very important for the game of tennis to continue to grow" she said. "You don't have to be a professional to get into the game."

With all this activity, Spangler and the National Partnerships department is excited about 2006. "For NRPA, we have so many incredible partners working with us to achieve common goals of increasing participation in active, healthy lifestyles" she said. "However, regardless of our intent, the interests and energies of our partners would not be fulfilled if it were not for the commitment, leadership, and enthusiastic response of our members."

Meet the USTA Board

The Unites States Tennis Association held their annual board meeting in conjunction with NRPA's Congress in order to attend events and see first-hand how its partnership has impacted members. Here is a list of board members that attended:

Franklin R. Johnson, Chairman and President

James R. Baugh, Director At Large

James S. Chaffin, Secretary-Treasurer

Katrina M. Adams, Director At Large

Gordon A. Smith, Vice President

Lucy S. Garvin, Vice President

David Dinkins, Director At Large

Joseph A. Grover, Director At Large

John N. Korff, Director At Large

Joaquim Rasgado, Jr., Director At Large

Donald L. Tisdel, Director At Large

David Wheaton, Director At Large

Alan G. Schwartz, Immediate Past President