Columbia County Parks, Recreation, and Events Department has been awarded the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation by the National Alliance for Youth Sports.

Earning the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program designation demonstrates that Columbia County has taken steps to ensure a safe, quality playing environment for children and has proven it meets key requirements in five categories – Written Policies and Procedures, Volunteer Screening, Coach Training, Parent Education and Accountability.

Jason English, Athletics Supervisor for Columbia County Parks, Recreation, and Events, states, “Our team was under an all-encompassing review process and passed a detailed inspection of the inner workings of the department. Through this review, it was determined that we are to be considered as the upper echelon provider of youth sports programming which is a testament to the strength of our department from top to bottom. I am extremely proud, but not surprised that our team has been granted this certification as I see the care, passion, and effort that they put into everything we offer.”

The National Alliance for Youth Sports, a 501(c)3 organization headquartered in West Palm Beach, Fla., administratively manages the designation which was developed around the National Standards for Youth Sports, a guiding resource originally published in 1987. Any organization can apply to be evaluated for the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation, and no cost is involved.

Columbia County Parks, Recreation, and Events’ designation is valid until December 31, 2021.

More information on the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation can be found at www.nays.org/quality.

Over 6,000 youths ages 4-18 participate in a variety of athletic programs offered through Columbia County Parks, Recreation, and Events Department each year at parks throughout the county. The youth sports programs offered include baseball, softball, tackle football, flag football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and tennis.