International Alliance For Youth Sports

Thousands of children throughout the Caribbean are enjoying positive sports experiences, thanks to the efforts of the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education (TTASPE) and the International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS).

Ever since the two organizations began working together in 2005, they have been introducing children to sports who otherwise would never have the opportunity through the renowned Game On! Youth Sports program – and the participants are reaping the benefits.

Game On! Youth Sports, the signature program of the IAYS, gives children the opportunity to participate in sports, develop skills and experience a healthier lifestyle with less chance of adopting negative behaviors that lead to crime, violence, drug abuse and obesity. The program also focuses on helping youngsters learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices to significantly reduce their chances of developing diseases such as HIV/AIDS that can affect their health and well-being.

In the Caribbean, Game On! Youth Sports programs have been embraced by children in Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, Dominica, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Grenada and the Grenadines.

TTASPE, headed by Mark Mungal, is a non-government, non-profit, professional organization comprised of volunteers involved in sport and physical education programs and projects. It is committed to the development of people and communities through the use of sport and physical education. Mungal is also the IAYS’ regional representative for the Caribbean and one of the members of the IAYS’ Founding Council.

“Game On! is a wonderful tool for developing children because it focuses on maintaining a sport environment that fosters positive social outcomes,” Mungal said.

As the IAYS and TTASPE move forward in 2010 the two not-for-profit organizations are focused on achieving even greater results – and impacting the lives of even more youth throughout the Caribbean – through a new Memorandum of Understanding.

Their objectives are:

1) To create opportunities through the Game On! Youth Sports brand for all children to participate in sport and physical activity in a fun, safe and creative environment

2) To provide children with life skills through the experience of sport

3) To educate parents, coaches and administrators about key skills, knowledge and values surrounding sport opportunities for youth

“We look forward to working closely with TTASPE in our ongoing efforts to change the lives of children through the power of sports,” said Fred Engh, founder and president of the IAYS. “Under Mark’s direction TTASPE has been a valuable partner and with our renewed agreement we envision changing the lives of countless children throughout the Caribbean through Game On! Youth Sports.”

For more information visit the International Alliance for Youth Sports’ Web site at www.iays.org or email international@iays.org; or visit the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education’s Web site at www.ttaspe.org.