August 28, 2000

NFL and NASO Teams to Improve Youth Football Officiating
(RACINE, Wis.) — More than 25,000 youth football officials will receive the Officiating Youth Sports Football 2000 publication this season thanks to a cooperative effort between the National Football League (NFL), the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), Referee magazine and several youth organizations.

Officials working leagues sponsored by Pop Warner Youth Football, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, the National Recreation and Parks Association and members of the National Youth Sports Officials Association will receive the 16-page publication at no charge thanks to a grant from NFL Charities. Several versions have been published in order to customize the final product to serve the specific needs of each organization.

The publication emphasizes safety, provides communication tips for officials when dealing with volunteer coaches and parents, and educates readers on basic officiating mechanics and more.

Across the country youth football programs are seeking qualified officials to work their games. This program, developed by NASO, is intended to not only inform officials but help youth programs recruit and train their officials.

"This publication provides need-to-know-basics to help youth programs manage their officiating," said NASO President Barry Mano. "We understand the challenges youth programs face today. It’s difficult to get qualified coaches and officials. The more we can do to help along the process by educating and training the officials, the smoother the programs will operate and that means everybody wins."

NFL Senior Director of Officiating Jerry Seeman’s personal letter in the publication sends a clear message that officials play an important role in the game.

"No matter the level you officiate," writes Seeman, "the keys to success are professionalism, rules knowledge, mechanics, dedication and preparation which are the requirements for successful officiating in the National Football League.

"The future of the game is in your hands and in those of the children and adults participating in youth football across the nation. Football has a glorious past and today’s youngsters are its future players, coaches, fans and its officials."

For more information about the Officiating Youth Sports Football 2000 publication, contact
NASO at 262/632-5448.