LIHUE (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Kauai Police Activities League is now accepting applications for the 2026 flag football season.

For years, K‑PAL has connected hundreds of local youth with its athletic programs to further its mission and empower them to live drug-free lives and reach their full potential through positive activities, mentorship, and fun.

The K‑PAL flag football program is open to school-aged youth from kindergarten through high school seniors.

Registration is free and available online through April 1, 2026. Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited. Applications received after the deadline will be placed on a waitlist and are not guaranteed a spot.

Practices will begin on May 1. Games will take place on Saturdays at the auxiliary field next to Vidinha Stadium, starting in June and running through mid-July.

K‑PAL is also seeking volunteer coaches. If you’re passionate about football and want to make a difference in the lives of Kaua‘i’s youth, please visit the K‑PAL website and complete the Volunteer Form.

For more information, call (808) 241-1924 or email KPAL@kauai.gov.

Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

Key Takeaways

• Over 700 bills compiled covering youth sports and physical activity legislation at state and federal levels
• 11 policy categories tracked, including concussion protocols, mental health training requirements, and abuse prevention standards
• Interactive map reveals gaps in coaching qualifications, safety protocols, and recess mandates across states
• Free resource developed by University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics with four partner organizations
• First comprehensive tool to centralize fragmented youth sports legislation into one searchable database

USE THE TOOL HERE:
Youth Sports and Physical Activity Legislation Tracker, The Sports Institute, University of Washington, (2025). https://thesportsinstitute.com/youth-sports-and-physical-activity-legislation-tracker/

A Centralized View of Fragmented Policy

The University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics released the Youth Sports and Physical Activity Legislation Tracker, a free interactive tool that compiles state and federal laws affecting youth sports programs. The resource was developed in partnership with The Sports Institute at UW Medicine, King County Play Equity Coalition, Susan Crown Exchange, and LiFEsports at The Ohio State University.

The tracker includes over 700 bills and allows users to search by state or topic. It covers legislation on concussion management, cardiac arrest protocols, abuse prevention, coaching qualifications, recess requirements, and physical activity standards in schools.

What the Tracker Covers

The tool organizes legislation into 11 categories. Safety-related topics include concussion protocols, sudden cardiac arrest response standards, general safety requirements, and abuse prevention measures. Training categories address both school sport coaching qualifications and youth sports (non-school) coaching requirements. Additional sections cover mental health training mandates, physical activity minimums in schools, and recess policies.

Each category includes definitions and context. For example, the concussion section tracks which states require return-to-play protocols and assigns responsibility to coaches, schools, or organizations. The mental health category identifies states requiring coaches to complete training on adolescent mental health or suicide prevention.

The abuse prevention section focuses on background checks, mandatory reporting requirements, and codes of conduct. The tracker notes that while most states require background checks for paid school employees, significant gaps remain for volunteer and unpaid coaches.

Addressing Policy Inconsistencies

The tracker highlights variation in requirements across states. Concussion and cardiac arrest protocols differ by jurisdiction. Coaching qualification standards for school sports vary significantly, and requirements for non-school youth sports coaches are even less consistent.

Physical activity and recess policies also show disparities. Not all states mandate minimum recess time for elementary students or require specific amounts of daily physical activity that align with CDC recommendations of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.

Who Benefits From This Resource

The tool serves coaches, program administrators, policymakers, and facility operators who need to understand compliance requirements. Youth sports organizations operating in multiple states can use it to identify different standards across their footprint. School districts can compare their policies to state requirements or peer districts.

Advocacy groups and researchers can use the data to identify gaps in youth athlete protection or inconsistencies in safety standards. The tracker provides a baseline for understanding where policy exists and where it does not.

Building Toward Standardization

The release of this tracker provides the youth sports industry with its first comprehensive view of legislative requirements across jurisdictions. Access to centralized policy data may support efforts to address gaps in coach training, safety protocols, and athlete protection standards.

The tool’s ability to filter by topic or geography allows users to identify specific compliance needs or compare approaches across states. As youth sports organizations face increasing scrutiny around safety and accountability, this resource offers a practical starting point for understanding the regulatory landscape.

YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.

About Youth Sports Business Report

Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.

Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.

Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:

• Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
• Youth Sports events and tournament management
• NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and compliance
• Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategies
• Sports technology and data analytics innovation
• Youth sports facilities development and management
• Sports content creation and digital media monetization

Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.

Join our growing community of 50,000+ industry leaders who depend on our trusted youth sports business analysis to drive success in the youth sports industry.

Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business – where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.

Sign up for the biggest newsletter in Youth Sports – Youth Sports HQ – The best youth sports newsletter in the industry 

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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?

Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

About Play Up Partners

Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

Why Sponsor Youth Sports?

Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.

What Does Play Up Partners Do?

We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.

Our Approach

Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:

• Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
• Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
• Elevate the youth sports ecosystem

Our Vision

We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.

Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing

Where can I sponsor youth sports? How do I activate in youth sports? What is the ROI of youth sports marketing? How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?

We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.

Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.

The San Antonio Spurs, in partnership with UT Health San Antonio, the clinical enterprise of The University of Texas at San Antonio, took charge of the physical education classes at Park Village Blended Learning Academy on Dec. 9 as part of a program to give back to the community and talk to kids about how to make healthy choices.

Park Village is a small, Title I elementary school in the Judson Independent School District. As of the 2023-2024 school year, it had 400 students, with around 70% of its students considered at risk of dropping out of school. The event was an opportunity for the students to participate in a day of fun that helped them feel part of their community.

“Having this type of event shows that our community cares,” said Kayone Bedford, principal of Park Village. “Sometimes our kids will say, nobody thinks about us because we’re such a small school or because of what side of town we’re from. But for an organization as large as the Spurs to come out here, that makes our kids feel proud and like they’re part of something bigger.”

The Spurs PE Takeovers are part of the Spurs Sports Academy’s broader community impact programs that also include community-wide events, clinics and camps offered to kids from six years old to 18.

“Our objective is to come and spread joy for these kids and have a good time while teaching basketball skills,” said RJ Sanchez, community sports manager for the Spurs Sports Academy. “Since our partnership with UT Health San Antonio, we’ve implemented a learning curriculum to teach the kids about their health and the value of exercise. But the most important thing we bring to every school is the joy factor.”

During the event, Kevin Ozment, MD, sports medicine physician at UT Health San Antonio and assistant clinical professor in the Department of Rehabilitation in the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT San Antonio, taught the students healthy lifestyle tips, emphasizing the importance of sleep, exercise and nutrition. After the lesson, the Spurs Sports Academy coaches led the students in warm-up drills and basketball skills from ball handling to passing and shooting. Then the Spurs Hype Squad, donning black and silver Santa hats, got the students moving with festive dance moves, offering something for everyone.

Ozment emphasized that building healthy habits early can have lasting benefits.

“I see a lot of patients who weren’t as involved in regular exercise or physical activity when they were younger, which can translate to potential health issues when they get older,” Ozment said. “That’s why it’s important to get involved early and implement healthy habits. A little bit of knowledge about healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way.”

Ozment also noted that while getting involved in sports is important, any kind of movement or activity — like riding a bike, taking a walk or going for a swim — can be beneficial for kids.

“It’s also important that kids diversify their sports and activities. When your kid is young, they don’t need to just stick to only one sport. By trying out different sports and being open to all kinds of activity, they can activate different muscle groups and down the line be less prone to injuries,” he advised.

UT Health San Antonio is the official sports medicine partner of the San Antonio Spurs. In 2023, the Spurs announced a multi-year partnership with UT Health San Antonio in a joint effort to pursue innovations in human performance and improve the health of the greater San Antonio community.

Tupper

Former Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper, who served the community for 13 years before retiring in February of 2025, has announced that he will be running for a seat in Iowa House District 52 as a Democrat, according to a press release issued Monday.

District 52 covers the city of Marshalltown and southeastern Marshall County, and the seat is currently held by Republican David Blom, also of Marshalltown. Before Blom defeated Sue Cahill in the 2024 election, the seat had been held by Democrats for over two decades. Notably, Democrat Mark Smith represented Marshalltown from 2001 to 2020.

“I’m running for the Iowa House to restore community-focused leadership and trust at the Capitol. Every day, I hear from neighbors who feel left behind by politicians in Des Moines, and I know I can rebuild that trust by showing up and listening to our community, as I did for years in law enforcement,” Tupper said.

In the press release, Tupper indicated that his priorities would be “fully funding our public schools, tackling the affordability crisis in Iowa by working to make housing cheaper for working families, and working with local officials to keep our communities safe.”

As the next Representative from Marshalltown, I will focus on:

“As a longtime community leader and recently retired Chief of Police in Marshalltown, I know folks across House District 52 know me as someone who leads with integrity and puts our community first. They can trust that I’ll be a reliable advocate for them in the Iowa House,” he said.

Tupper worked for 32 years as a police officer in Iowa and served as a police chief for 20 of those years in Nevada and Marshalltown. He currently works as a law enforcement consultant in the public entity insurance industry, has served as a community volunteer, nonprofit board member, youth sports coach and church leader. He is married to Sarah Tupper and has four daughters and one son.

Blom, the incumbent, issued the following statement when contacted by the T-R Monday.

“I’m running for re-election to the Iowa House to continue fighting for property tax relief, a major factor in rent and housing affordability, Marshall County jobs and economic development, Iowa veterans, teachers, and Marshall County families. It’s my honor to serve and I look forward to working to earn every vote in 2026,” he said.

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – Over 400 kids from around the Northland got a special chance to learn some tips and tricks on the court from the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men’s and women’s basketball teams Monday night.

Through a partnership with Rookie Basketball, players and coaches from both Bulldog basketball teams hosted a clinic that helped kids from kindergarten to the eighth grade learn fundamentals like dribbling, shooting, passing, and more.

Three members of the men’s basketball team and Duluth natives Brooks Johnson, Mattie Thompson, and Noah Paulson all participated in Rookie Basketball when they were kids.

Paulson, who attended and played basketball at Duluth East High School, says it’s a no-brainer for him and his teammates to give back to the community that shaped them.

“It is super important to us and the coaches. We do camps in the summer that are fundraisers also. It is cool to work with the youth because it’s the same kids and families that come to our games. Hopefully, tonight, we have a positive impact on them,” says Paulson.

The Duluth Salvation Army’s youth basketball program has been in operation since 1987, providing kids in Duluth and surrounding towns with the opportunity to learn and play the game of basketball.

To learn more about the Rookie Basketball program, click here.

The Bulldogs men’s and women’s basketball teams are back at Romano Gym on Friday, January 9, for a conference doubleheader against the University of Sioux Falls.

The men’s game tips off at 5:30 p.m. while the women’s game is immediately after at 7:30 p.m.

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Copyright 2026 Northern News Now. All rights reserved.

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