‘Sandlot’ Play Makes Impact on Team Sports Scene
SGMA Research
SGMA Research indicates that participation in team sports has been driven by organized/sanctioned play for a number of years. However, in 2008, ‘casual/pick-up’ play exceeded organized/sanctioned play in seven different sports -- basketball, ice hockey, field hockey, touch football, lacrosse, grass volleyball, and beach volleyball. Why? Families are feeling the effects of the economy and are choosing less expensive ways to play sports and exercise. More

Putting the Pieces of Participation Together
SGMA Research
Over the past few weeks, we have taken a good look at the individual components that make up sports participation. As we reviewed last week, sports participation numbers (X) are essentially made up of three pieces: the number of new people taking up a sport or activity every year (A)……the number of people continuing to play a particular sport (B)…….and finally, the number of people leaving (C). It is a simple formula: X = (A + B) – C. Devising a comprehensive strategy to grow a specific sport or activity requires full consideration of all components of the sports participation equation. More

No Entry Fees at National Parks
SGMA Education and Resources
As a way to increase visitors to our national parks, entrance fees at 147 national parks and monuments — including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite — were waived for one weekend in June and one in July. This coming weekend (August 15-16), entrance fees will be waived again. The waiver applies only to entrance fees and does not affect charges for camping, reservations, tours or concessions. More

Key Changes in Competitive Swimwear
SGMA Education and Resources
During the recently completed World Swimming Championships in Rome, there was a great deal of debate about the legality of today's state-of-the-art competitive swimwear. During the event, FINA (the international governing body for swimming) approved new rules and regulations during the FINA Congress. This change of rules -- "FINA Requirements for Swimwear Approval 2010" -- will affect both male and female swimmers. More

Senate Aims to “Reprioritize” Customs Trade Functions
SGMA Public Policy
On the eve of the Senate’s departure for the August recess, Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and ranking member Charles Grassley (R-IA) introduced the customs reauthorization bill (S. 1631) aimed at strengthening customs facilitation and trade enforcement efforts within the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The two sponsors said the bill’s objective is to “reprioritize” the agencies’ trade functions, saying that both CBP and ICE “must work harder to facilitate trade and enforce U.S. customs and trade laws.” More

EU Finalizes Welcome Change to Metric-Only Directive
SGMA Public Policy
The European Union has now completed the formalities for amending the directive that would have required metric-only labeling for all products sold in the EU effective January 1, 2010. As a result, dual labeling (e.g., kilograms and ounces) will be allowed to continue indefinitely, thereby reducing the likelihood of SGMA members being required to prepare separate product labels tailored to European markets. More

SGMA's Fitness Satellite Media Tour (SMT)

Orlando, FL Wednesday, January 6, 2010 Do you want television news coverage for your product? If so, then sign up for a Fitness TV Satellite Media Tour (SMT) by SGMA. During an SMT, SGMA is able to reach the general public through their local (and some national) television morning news programs. MoreMore

SGMA's 11th Annual National Health Through Fitness Day

Washington, DC Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Next March join celebrity athletes, physical education teachers, and industry leaders for SGMA's 11th Annual National Health Through Fitness Day to promote Physical Activity and fight Obesity. MoreMore

SGMA's 2010 Litigation & Risk Management Summit

Las Vegas, NV Tuesday, April 6, 2010 SGMA's Legal Task Force will be hosting our annual SGMA Litigation & Risk Management Summit in Las Vegas at the Fontainebleau Hotel. Further details will be provided as they're made available. More