More Youth Football Officials Get Educated

(RACINE, Wis.) - Officiating Youth Sports - Football 2005, an educational newsletter gleaned from the partnership with USA Football and the National Association of Sports Officials, has reached 143,000 youth sports officials this year. Via a grant awarded to NASO by the NFL Youth Football Fund, the newsletter was distributed for free through hundreds of youth leagues across the country.

Pop Warner Football, Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America, American Youth Football, Jewish Community Centers, Police Athletic Leagues, the Amateur Athletic Union, the National Recreation and Parks Association, YMCA, the National Federation of State High School Associations and others have benefited from the program since its introduction in 2000.

The popular 16-page publication is created by NASO/Referee, publishers of Referee magazine. This year's newsletter was redesigned and made all color, enhancing the images, field diagrams and illustrations to help officials get better.

There's no cost to the organizations participating in the program in 2005 as a result of the $90,800 grant.

"The NFL understands that the recruitment, education and development of youth officials is an investment in the game," said Barry Mano, NASO President. "Better officials mean better games. More training leads to more officials. NASO's partnership with the NFL shows their commitment."

NASO first introduced the concept of a youth officiating publication to the NFL in 1998. After two years of development, NFL Charities funded the initial 2000 publication. It was distributed to the Pop Warner and National Youth Sports Officials Association members.

In 2001, the program expanded to include other NFL youth partners. In 2002, distribution more than doubled from the previous year.

In 2003, funding came from the NFL's Youth Football Fund, dedicated solely to promoting the development of youth football.

For more information go to www.naso.org or contact NASO/Referee National Sales Manager Patrick Miles at 262/632-5448.

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