Youth Leaders are the energy that fuel all of our youth bowling efforts. They are the future of the sport and their growth is an essential part of making bowling successful and expanding the program. Youth Leader Programs give youth the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skill and enhance the sport of bowling through promotion, education and involvement.

The best Youth Leaders aspire to win the Youth Leader of the Year Award and the $2,000 scholarship that goes with it. Only two are handed out each year - one to a female and one to a male. Winners really have a say in what goes on in bowling as they sit on the YABA Board of Directors and have voting rights for two years. Each state/provincial should select a male and female each year and enter them into the Youth Leader of the Year competition.

Youth Leader Programs offer enthusiastic, energetic, young bowlers an opportunity to take a leadership role in promoting and expanding bowling while having fun. Youth learn important life skills as they take on future leadership roles. Youth will have a dynamic role in lots of activities at the decision-making level of bowling, including:

• setting goals
• building teamwork
• coordinating and leading meetings
• promoting and recruiting youth bowling programs
• holding fund-raisers
• planning tournaments
• coaching in YABA leagues
• training and mentoring other youth bowlers
• awarding scholarships

In addition to the Youth Leader Program, YABA has developed a program called the Youth Leader Alumni Program. This mentoring program matches former Youth Leaders with current Youth Leaders. While the new leaders learn from the former leaders, the former leaders get a chance to continue developing their leadership skills and stay involved with YABA.

The goal and focus of this program remains the same in conjunction with the alumni program's mission statement:

"The Youth Leader Alumni Program keeps current and former YABA members involved by promoting and expanding the Youth Leader Program, providing leadership training opportunities, building networking skills and having fun."

The goals and focus of the program include working with current Youth Leaders on administrative processes, mentoring them to help promote the growth of the alumni program, assisting in recruitment of new members, suggesting fund-raising ideas and creating a support structure for other young adults.

If you are interested in starting a Youth Leader Program, Youth Leader Alumni Program or would like assistance from a Youth Leader alumn, contact YABA Assistant Manager of Special Projects Joyce Jocham by email joyce.jocha@bowl.com or call (414)423-3223.