Youth Sports Programs to Benefit from New Law

 

(LITTLE FALLS) – During a special seminar on youth sports issues at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center today, Governor James E. McGreevey signed legislation to prevent improper conduct from parents, coaches, officials and players from marring youth sports events.

 

“Sports provide an opportunity for our youth to learn teamwork and good sportsmanship -- qualities which can lead to success not only in athletic competition, but also in all aspects of life,” McGreevey said.  “This bill will ensure that we continue to stress the positive aspects of youth sports in New Jersey.”

 

The Governor said the bill, A-446, would permit a school board or youth sports organization to establish an athletic code of conduct for all students, coaches, officials or parents of students as a condition of participation in any athletic program by the student or youth athlete.

 

A school or sports team with an athletic code of conduct in place would have the authority to ban any youth athlete, coach, parent or official who violates the code.  Violators would only be allowed to return if they complete a sports violence counseling program.

 

The legislation was sponsored by Assemblymen Robert J. Smith (D-Camden/Gloucester) and Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden).  Senators Joseph Coniglio (D-Bergen) and Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem) sponsored the measure in the upper house.

 

McGreevey signed the bill during sports parenting expert Rick Wolff’s “Sports Edge” show on WFAN radio.  The program, broadcast live from the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center this morning, featured a panel discussion on youth sports issues. 

 

The panel included Yogi’s son Dale, a former Major League baseball player, Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Peter King, Saint John’s University Women’s Tennis Coach Kyle Copeland and Ashley Hammond, a professional youth soccer coach.

 

“New Jersey is a state with hundreds of excellent youth sports programs supported by dedicated parents, coaches and officials,” McGreevey said.  “This bill provides an important tool to protect the quality of these valuable programs.”