Tonganoxie Recreation Commission director Gayle Parker recently took 31 coaches through a one-day class for certification in the national program.

“We feel like this is the next step to providing positive sporting experiences for our young children,” Parker said. “We’re just making sure coaches understand what their responsibilities are as a youth coach.”

Parker has monitored roughly 700 coaches in earning their certification. The certification involves watching a film entitled “Introduction to Coaching Youth Sports.” Coaches then watch a sport specific video.

While at El Dorado, which also is NYSCA certified, Parker learned the most about the national organization.

“It worked out for us in El Dorado and other places in the state,” Parker said.

About 30 Tonganoxie coaches recently watched the films, signed to abide by a NYSCA code of ethics, which can be found on page 2B, and took a 15-question exam.

The mandatory certification is required for head coaches and suggested for assistants in Tonganoxie Recreation Commission sports.

Because the certification is mandatory, Parker said the TRC board agreed to pay for each coach’s $20 certification fee.

Parker also said coaches of other youth teams, such as football, that are not TRC-sanctioned squads, are welcome to come to the recreation commission for certification.

The NYSCA was established in 1981 and has trained more than 1.8 million coaches since then. Parker said the NYSCA has about 3,300 chapters nationwide.

Tonganoxie was not a NYCSA member before this year, but Parker said being in the national organization and requiring certification were a forward steps for the TRC.

“It just reminds coaches what their responsibilities are other than the win-loss column,” Parker said.