Implementation of An AAU Based Recreation Program
Kim Gabrielson
AAU National Recreation Committee
Having been exposed to a variety of recreation programs in both urban and rural environments, I have finally concluded that although everyone wants active athletic activities in their programs, very few recreation people have a consistent or successful way of attaining them. This paper is intended to not only provide at least one easily implemented and successful means of integrating AAU athletics into existing recreation programs, but it is also intended to acquaint readers with the multitude of activities available within the Amateur Athletic Union framework.
My current position is an Assistant Recreation Coordinator for the Calvert County Parks & Recreation Department in rural Southern Maryland. I moved to Southern Maryland after spending 15 years working in various recreation capacities in the Orange and Riverside County regions of Southern California. Although the transition from an urban to rural environment represented a major shift in numbers, many of the same problems relating to coordination of special athletic events and team competitions remained, but for different reasons.
Basically, what I found in large communities is a prevalent feeling that "We're big enough that we can get all the community support we want without the help of outside organizations." In a smaller rural organization, the feeling was more "Independence at all costs, and we don't need anyone else." Unfortunately, both positions imply a misunderstanding of what an outside organization like the AAU stands for and how it can help a recreation professional perform a much more thorough job for his or her participants and at no extra costs.
Using my own recent experiences in the Southern Maryland and Washington D.C. area as an example, how have I been able to effectively use this tremendous resource, the AAU, to greatly increase participation. My activities, which were began at the local level with junior wrestling programs, now extend well beyond Calvert County to Northern Virginia, and the Potomac Valley Association of the Amateur Athletic Union, and organization in which I currently serve as the first vice-president. Since wrestling started it all, lets first discuss wrestling, and how it was integrated into and within the existing AAU and county recreation programs.
The Southern Maryland Junior Wrestling League was originally established by a few scattered boys clubs that had ex-wrestlers interested in teaching young boys how to wrestle. Wrestling is the number three sport among boys, and has considerable following throughout the country. Since the whole basis of the league was to provide team competition, the more teams available, the more competition could be provided. The catch was that although individual recreation departments usually had a few coaches and kids available, no one area could provide enough competition to make a solid league feasible, and no one really knew where all the other potential teams were located. Also, insurance costs for small teams not directly sponsored by boys clubs or a recreation department was prohibitive.
The obvious solution to placing junior wrestling on a sound footing and also providing a competitive outlet for local recreation wrestlers was coordination with the regional AAU wrestling association. Associations currently exist in all parts of the U.S., and help with coaching, referees, tournaments, equipment, insurance, and locating other teams or leagues was virtually a phone call away.
My efforts went towards contacting the local AAU and requesting help for our local county team, plus setting up and conducting a coordinating meeting with SMJWL coaches. Not only was the entire Southern Maryland Junior Wrestling League of over 400 wrestlers solidified last year through AAU volunteer efforts, but now most of the less organized county recreation wrestling programs are abandoning their earlier do it all at home attitudes, and are affiliation with the regional AAU program in the hopes of developing a regional league championship team from their own local area.
The entire wrestling effort actually saved the county money. Coaches and match official were volunteers and insurance was provided through the AAU. I spent less of my own time, and an AAU sponsored wrestling tournament in my county (a rural one by most standards) drew enough entries to pay for uniforms and travel for the team throughout the entire season, and send over 40 wrestlers to the Grand Nationals.
Wrestling is just one of many local sports we have in Calvert County, T-ball is a form of baseball most youngsters play before they are eight years old. Since there are large numbers of boys and girls who participate, you might ask how the AAU was able to help within the local recreation environment. A closer look reveals some interesting characteristics in the sport. In particular, no national governing body for T-ball exists. Recreation activities consisted of dividing the county in half, and having a playoff for the two league champions at the end of the season. Recreation support included administering sign-ups and field scheduling during the season. No post season competition was available or even officially considered prior to AAU involvement, although parents had expressed interest on many occasions. Here's what happened, when the teams and people were ready and an outlet was available.
As with over half of the states in the U.S., both Maryland and Washington D.C. hold state games. The Maryland Parks and Recreation Association sponsors and runs the Maryland State Games, and drew about 1,000 entries this past year. National governing bodies for individual sports run most competitions with no outlet available for sports with no national organization to hold competitions. Washington D.C. has turned the state games event over to the Potomac Valley AAU, an organization with representatives in most sports, including those with no other national governing body. The D.C. State Games drew an entry of over 3,000 this summer, a large number of participants were from T-ball.
The AAU can provide a regional or national framework for virtually an organized athletic activity. Since our counties recreation department was not in a position to provide any large scale post season T-ball competition, I approached the regional AAU association concerning the possibility of adding a T-ball event in the Washing-ton D.C. State Games. Since the teams were already in place throughout our region, and since many people were available to coordinate activities, it was a simple matter to put together a major T-ball tournament for the games. The interest in now snowballing, and a national event may be feasible in the next two years.
You might ask what happened to our local league play? We now have a host of teams in other counties contacting our teams in other counties contacting our teams to set up preseason games, and interest in our local league has grown tremendously.
The last sport I have been involved with and would like to discuss is soccer. In my area as in much of the U.S., winter means indoor activities. If you want to participate in a winter soccer league and your team needs practice time indoors; you need to purchase insurance, usually at a premium rate. Teams in my area wanted to play winter soccer, but the insurance provided through recreation departments was prohibitive, and would only allow for games and practices within public buildings inside the county. Also, the insurance was only good for the season, with a new policy necessary when summer leagues started. Again the AAU came to the rescue by allowing regional flexibility for scheduling and practice locations at a very inexpensive cost. All that was required for yearly insurance coverage was a $5.00 membership card for each player, and a team membership of $25. For the first time this winter we will see a major surge in soccer participation in local indoor play.
Basically, what I have discussed today is an easily instituted program of athletic sponsorship and support readily available in most parts of the country at no cost and with little extra work by the local recreation department. Support spanned the entire spectrum of activities from officiating, coaching, and coordinating local team and events, to regional recognition and sponsorship of major competitions. In addition, the availability of a low cost insurance program for individuals and teams has been a major factor in increasing participation at all levels. The AAU, through its regional association, has been a constant source of guidance and support to me in my efforts to promote more athletic participation and interest within the recreation program.