Gwinnett County Earns Youth Sports Award

The National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) Oct. 31 announced Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation as a 2012 Excellence in Youth Sports Award winner. The prestigious award, presented in part with Athletic Business magazine, recognizes youth sports programs that are doing superior jobs of conducting diverse activities with a focus on providing safe and positive experiences for the children, parents and coaches involved.

Gwinnett County was chosen from more than 100 youth sports programs that submitted applications from recreation departments, independent sports leagues and military bases around the world, according to a press release announcing the award. In addition to their dedication to providing safe sporting experiences to the youth in the community, their unique initiatives to promote sportsmanship among both youth players and adult volunteers helped them stand out among the other submissions.

Gwinnett County will be presented with its award during the NAYS Youth Sports Congress in New Orleans during Nov.28-Dec. 1.

“Life-long skills are often learned at a young age. We applaud Gwinnett County for their commitment to providing the children with positive, rewarding opportunities through youth sports,” said John Engh, chief operating officer at NAYS.

Founded in 1981, the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) is America's leading advocate for positive, safe sports and activities for children. The non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. More than 3,000 community-based youth sport programs across the country use NAYS programs and services for everyone involved in youth sports experiences, including professional administrators, volunteer administrators, volunteer coaches, officials, parents and young athletes. For more information visit www.nays.org.