Massachusetts Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) named Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Andover) to the state’s newly-formed Youth Sports Commission Tuesday.
“The well-being of high school and college athletes is protected by the MIAA and NCAA, but there’s nothing in place for younger students,” Finegold said in a news release announcing his appointment. “This working group aims to ensure affordability and reasonable guardrails so that kids and families have a positive experience with youth sports.”
The commission was created to study and improve youth sports in Massachusetts, and will focus on increasing access, safety, and affordability for children and families involved in youth sports. Spilka said Finegold was instrumental in getting legislation creating the commission passed.
“Senator Finegold will be an outstanding member of the Youth Sports Commission,” she said. “For years, he has been a champion for making youth sports safe and healthy places to exercise and build community, and for reducing the risk of injury that is growing for even our youngest athletes. His leadership, combined with his real-world coaching experience, is what drove the Legislature to create this commission.”