Rec leaders speak about youth sports.

At the invitation-only meeting at the National Alliance For Youth Sports (NAYS) headquarters, the discussion may have been about kids, but it wasn't child's play--leaders from park and recreation associations in New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Michigan and Florida met to talk about bettering youth sports through additional opportunities with the organization.

Executive director of the New York State Recreation and Park Society Gia Lemerise says, "We share the same ideals, and now we're working together in a new capacity to share resources to make this effort a reality. Together, we will make a difference."

Delegates discussed what initiatives through NAYS had been successful, as well as exchanged information about programs in their owe states. The group explored creating state task forces that would be comprised of recreation leaders who could share common goals and experiences.

"New York, Michigan, Florida, Ohio and South Carolina have made a significant difference in the quality of their youth sports programs. It is our hope that other state associations around the country will follow the lead that these groups have established" says Fred Engh, founder and president of the Alliance.