6.5. SR 12-15-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

positive social valncs, and broadens the playing field by giving eveD. one a chance to participale. This is especially tree for females who, until recently, have had limited opportunities available to them for participation in a varie ,ty of sports and athletic events. A unique feature of this complex will be tile eslablishment of file Minnesota Amateur Sports Hall of Fame. The Minnesota Sports Federation has been entrusted with memorabilia from Minnesota Amateur athletes, which has significant over the past 50 years. Additionally, the vast nnmber of its statewide participants assures the expansion of the Hall of Fame into a statewide attraction. Necessity for a Statewide Youth Oriented Sports Complex Since its inception in 1982 tile Minncsola Sports Federation has grown from an organiz~tion serving 67.000 amatcnr arltlctcs in Minnesota lo its currcnl program level of 232.000 participants. This groxxlh has reflected tile dramatic population groxxlh in Ihe state daring the same period. According to the Minncsola Department of Tourism "belxvecn 1980 and 1994. Minnesota's population grew significantly raslcr Ihan am,' olher Midxx'cst slate." Tcmn nlcmbcrships in Ibc Miuncsota Sports Federation have also mirrored this cxciling groxxth ovct thc pasl fifteen .x cats as seen in Iht folloxving grox~lh chart: Year 1991 1996 Nunlbcr of Tea]ns 4.461 7,914 9,588 10,637 Dtmnalic groxvlb in sports such as Junior Olympic Softball and voulh baskclball and volleyball has placed grcal pressure on Ihe organization meel the increasing inlercsl and demand of amateur athletes. Unfortunately due to Ihe lack of availabililv and oftentimes prohibilive facility renlal costs, lite MSF is unable to expaud exisiing programs or iniliale new ones Ihal would greally enhance membershii) sen'ices and/or serve lite needs of special populations and provide greater gender equity. lit 1987 Iht Minnesota Slalc High School League removed restrictions on off-season play Ihus allo~ving players lite opportunily Io hone skills in formal leagues and camps Ii~roughout the year. As a result participation in youth leagues and other off-season camps and programs has skyrocketed. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported in February 1997 that "ltl many communities in the metro area, participation is so great that youth directors are scrambling to find g)nn space. This winter 1,200 boys and about 600 girls are playing baskclball in youth progrmns in Eden Prairie alone." Of particular i~nportance is the requirement for high qualib' vennes for slalcwidc and national tournaments. The Minnesota Sports Federation has a strong bi~ory or organizing and coordinating these t3~es of tournaments, xx~th 56 such tournaments to its credit over the past 15 years. With this new facility the Sports Federation expects to increase its statewide tournament schedule lo between 8 and 10 per year. with an additional 3 to 5 national tournaments. Female Participation in amateur Athletics Women and girls have become ~nore involved in sports al nil levels Ihroughopl Iht state since the inception of the 1972 Title IX law prohibiting gender discrimination in educalional inslilutions and the principle of gender equity that asserts Ihe value of eqnitnble parlicipation by. and Irealmenl of. men and women in inlercollcgialc athlelics. Ycl. a lack of snfficienl and adeqnate sports facilities conlinuc 1o limil females inlcresled in participaling iu amalenr alhlelics. Tile bcncfils Io girls who parlicipale in sporls ;irc impressive. According Io Iht Womcn's sports Foundalion girls aclive in sports are 925'0 less likely to gel involx cd xvilh drags. 8o% less likely Io have an nmvanlcd pregnancy and Ihree limes more likeh' !o gmduale from high school. The .~ h'lpomene.hmr, al rcporlcd i. 1992 Ihal girls derive confideuce iu lhemseh'es and Iheir abililv front physical aclivilv and positive self-esteem through challenge, risk-laking experiences and skill developmenl. Women !oo are finding greal bencfils from aclive participalion itt sports. Thc Women's Sporls Foundalion has slated thai xL'omen who participate in spoil have high levels of self-esteem, less depression, and are more satisfied Lvilb Iheir lives. In addition, exercise has shoxvn lo reduce lite risk of heart disease, breasl cmlcct, and olher illnesses. MSF is dedicated lo providing greater opporlnnities for women and girls Io aclivcly participale in sports, lu additional indoor and ontdoor amalcur sports filcililics were available, the scope of MSF programs could be increased significanlly itl Ihe areas of spoils Ioumamenls for mca and WOlnen of all ages. research, coaches/player Iraining. progrmns for the physically challenged and senior cilizens' rccrealional activities.