SPORTS, FITNESS & RECREATION

These programs help develop fitness, a positive use of leisure time, reduction of stress, appreciation for the environment, and social and interpersonal skills.

FITNESS AUTHORITY
FITNESS AUTHORITY®, a new small-group program sponsored by The Sports Authority, Inc., promotes fitness in all youth. FITNESS AUTHORITY provides a fun-filled, motivating fitness experience for members. There is a 12-week curriculum for each of three age groups: FITNESS SQUAD, 6-9; FITNESS MASTERS, 10-14; and FITNESS ALL-STARS, 15-18. Weekly sessions cover every aspect of fitness, drawing upon themes of sports culture and history, self-esteem, nutrition and physical fitness. The annual FITNESS AUTHORITY Club-Wide Pentathlon competition allows Club members of all ages to demonstrate and test their fitness levels.

Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA
This national youth basketball initiative, launched by the NBA and the WNBA, connects players, parents and coaches. The program, which is supported by an all-star Advisory Council as well as Boys & Girls Clubs of America and other national youth organizations, provides unique information within its training guide curriculum. Subjects include advice for coaches from the first practice to the final game, ideas on creating a positive and fun environment for youth and tips for players ranging from skills to sportsmanship.

Athletic Director University
Athletic Director University is a comprehensive sports training program designed for Boys & Girls Club athletic directors. There are three trainings available. Building a World Class Youth Sports Program 101 provides participants with essential resources to conduct diverse, high quality physical education and sports programs in Clubs. Program 202 is a train-the-trainer course preparing athletic directors to train volunteer coaches in their sports program. Program 303 provides resources, information and strategies to increase the scope and quality of the Clubs sports and fitness programs for girls.

Teen Sports Clubs
These groups are teen leadership groups that promote fitness, sports and potential athletics-related careers in Boys & Girls Clubs. Members meet on a regular basis to learn about issues inside and outside their Club related to sports and fitness. Teen Sports Club members ages 13-18 volunteer at least 25 hours as referees, coaches or in other athletic department support roles.

Sectional Sports Tournaments
These tournaments encourage Inter-Club competition within a city or region, allowing youngsters in teams from four or more Clubs to compete in basketball, soccer, volleyball, mini-soccer, track and field, softball and street hockey. Tournaments occur throughout the year. Awards include individual and team recognition.

Daily Challenges
Fitness and fun combined make Daily Challenges a non-competitive, yet challenging, popular series of programs. The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Challenge helps girls build new skills via a fun fitness circuit. The Michael Jordan Invent-A-Sport Challenge encourages creativity and fitness, allowing youngsters to create their own game or sport, illustrate and demonstrate the activity and play with peers. In the Ken Griffey Jr. Home Run Challenge, members build basic motor skills through throwing, catching and running games. The Dawn Staley Basketball Challenge offers instruction and practice in dribbling, assisting and shooting. The Jump Rope Challenge improves strength, skills and endurance as participants jump "against the clock."

Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI)
Through a collaboration with Major League Baseball, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has expanded or established baseball and fast-pitch softball programs in more than 150 communities nationwide. All RBI leagues incorporate Quick SMART!, a condensed version of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's SMART Moves prevention/education program designed to teach players to avoid alcohol and other drug use and premature sexual involvement