Search

History

line

Originally, the group was an advisory committee of the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA), advising the AZSTA in awarding grants to support youth and amateur sports. Since the fall of 2003, the group has evolved to become a broad coalition that includes leaders from the private, public and independent sectors, representing state and local government, major corporations, health and healthcare industries, professional sports, private foundations, and several divisions of Arizona State University.

Formation of the Council was a result of a variety of factors:

  • A response to the crisis of childhood obesity and lack of minimum recommended physical activity by youth;
  • A desire on the part of Council members to leverage resources, coordinate and develop a strategic plan of action;
  • The passage of a bill that made available to the AZSTA $1-4 million per year over 30 years for purposes of promoting youth and amateur sports; and
  • A common desire to improve long-term health prospects for youth in Maricopa County, through ensuring that every child has the opportunity to engage in at least the minimum recommended amount of physical activity; through providing health screenings, coverage, and education; as well as by means of improved urban design.

The Council operates on the well-established theory that regular prescribed physical activity and proper nutrition are crucial in the battle against childhood obesity. Thus, the Council proposes to increase participation in physical activity and healthy food choices among Maricopa County youth through improving the access to and the quality of youth sports/fitness facilities and programs, with particular attention to underserved communities.