On March 20 at the Island Garden Basketball facility in West Hempstead, the Nassau County Sports Commission (NCSC), North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center (NSC&FGC), and the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) will be hosting a free educational conference for parents and volunteer coaches involved with youth sports on Long Island. The conference, "Sports & Kids: Helping Our Children Grow," will enable the Long Island community to share their thoughts on the various issues surrounding the topic of kids and sports. The NCSC, NSC&FGC, and the WSF, all non-profit organizations, encourage fair play and realize the importance of parents, coaches and kids working together on the values of youth sport participation.

The conference will begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude at 12:30 p.m. It will kick off with an introduction by Commissioner John B. Kiernan, Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks, followed by keynote speaker Donna Lopiano, Ph.D., executive director of the Women's Sports Foundation, a panel discussion and six workshops. The keynote topic will be "why team sports are important for children's healthy emotional development." The workshops will be led by area coaches, scholastic athletic directors, teachers and professionals in the fields of social work and psychology. Sample workshop topics include, "Positive Role Modeling," "Am I Ever Going to Fit In?" and "Learning How to be a Good Sport." In addition to the workshops for the parents and volunteer coaches, sport clinics will be organized by the Women's Sports Foundation for youngsters 6-12 years of age. No babysitter is needed and you can bring your young sport enthusiasts.

"This conference is greatly needed and will address the issues facing parents and volunteer coaches. The keynote panel discussion and workshops cover an array of topics that will greatly educate and inform the coaches and parents of Long Island," stated Peter Collins, president of the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

The conference is free, but you must register to attend by calling the Women's Sports Foundation at 542-4700 and ask for the "Sports and Kids" conference coordinator. Registration will be limited to the first 300 adults and 200 children. Registration deadline is March 5.

Join the Nassau County Sports Commission, the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center and the Women's Sports Foundation by attending this important conference on Saturday, March 20. If you have any questions you can call the Women's Sports Foundation or visit our website at www.news12.com/longisland/sportskids.html. It may change your child's life!

Nassau County Sports Commission, a non-profit organization, was created in 1992 by Nassau County Executive Thomas S. Gulotta to enhance the quality of life of its residents, while improving the economy of the county through sports. The NCSC is located at 1380 Northern Blvd., Suite A, Manhasset, NY 11030; Phone 365-9625, fax 365-4427, e-mail ncsc@liii.com. Please visit the NCSC's innovative website at www.nassausports.org or call for more information on its programs and activities.

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is Long Island's leading non-profit mental health center caring for the emotional needs of children, youth and their families for nearly half a century. The center's main office is located at 480 Old Westbury Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577-2215; phone 626-1971, fax 626-8043.

Women's Sports Foundation is a national, non-profit, member-based organization dedicated to increasing opportunities for girls and women in sports and fitness through education, advocacy, recognition and grants. The foundation is located in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY 11554, phone 542-4700, fax 542-4716, e-mail wosport@aol.com, website www.lifetimetv.com/WoSport.