April 13, 2010

The April 6 meeting of the USASF National Advisory Board produced what many are calling a giant leap forward, as they approved the following recommendations for consideration by the USASF Board of Directors.

The NAB recommended that a system to accurately track athlete participation be developed as soon as possible in order to eventually help assure that roster and eligibility requirements are being met at USASF sanctioned events. It was suggested that this program could possibly be established as early as the 2011/2012 season.

Additionally, after much discussion the NAB is recommending that further concrete steps be taken to make certain that athletes are properly insured should they be injured while participating at USASF events or while they are in the gym.

Also, the NAB recommended a professional responsibility code for gym owners and an enforcement strategy and a campaign to improve sportsmanship guidelines for coaches, athletes and parents.

I believe that these recommendations and the actions that will inevitably be taken to implement them will not only advance the legitimacy and stature of our sport, but also help ensure that the USASF and its gyms, event producers and athlete members participate in a safe and responsibly way.

My congratulations and appreciation go out to those members of the NAB who donated their time to participate in this important meeting.

Jim Chadwick