A conference for leaders of youth
The Alaska Sports Hall of Fame’s second annual PLAAY (Positive Leadership for Active Alaska Youth) Summit kicks off Thursday, February 24 at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium in Anchorage.
Looking to build on the success of last year’s inaugural conference, the 2017 PLAAY Summit features Alaskan experts presenting on the many factors that impact adolescent health. The PLAAY Summit will again emphasize the importance of physical activity as a means to improving teenage health.
“The conference is for leaders of youth,” said Harlow Robinson, Alaska Sports Hall of Fame executive director. “It was developed with the philosophy that effective leadership requires a holistic understanding of health issues. We feel the PLAAY Summit fills a void in our state.”
Dr. Jay Butler
The two-day event, organized by PLAAY Director Wally Wilson, provides teachers, coaches, nurses, parents, administrators and other leaders of youth with an affordable opportunity to learn new skills, network and build professional credentials.
The conference costs $150 for the general public, $100 for school district employees and $50 for University of Alaska students. Professional Development Credits are available for an additional $99. Video conferencing options at group rates also are available for non-Anchorage individuals or organizations. Space is limited. Register online here.
An all-star cast of presenters
Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jay Butler (Teen Opioid Addiction and the Role of Sports), Sports Counselor and former Olympic Skier Holly Brooks (Gender Differences in Coaching), Dr. Gary Ferguson (Sports and Athletics as Life Lessons) and Dr. Rachel Lescher (Prevalence and Concerns about Early-Onset Diabetes) are among the highlighted presenters and topics. Former National Football League player and current Anchorage community leader Ma’o Tosi will provide the Keynote Address.
Holly Brooks
The Summit will also feature the panel discussions “The Opioid Epidemic and its Effect on Adolescents” and “Sports Psychology and Gender Differences.”
“Alaska is in the midst of an epidemic of opioid misuse and overdose,” Dr. Butler said. “Physical activity and sports participation are foundational to a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, sports injuries are a far too common route to opioid dependency.”
View the full list of presenters and topics here.
30 minutes of synchronized physical activity
As part of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame’s PLAAY initiative, PLAAY Day will get things going with Alaska’s first simultaneous student physical activity event. The goal is to get thousands of Alaska children jumping, running, and dancing — all at once. Schools and other organizations from across the state will engage elementary students in a half hour of organized — and synchronized — physical activity.
Instructors based in the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium building in Anchorage will lead PLAAY Day with students participating via live stream.
The PLAAY initiative is a collaborative community effort. Supporters include Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, GCI, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, Providence Hospital, State of Alaska DHSS, Anchorage School District, UAA Dept. of Health and PE, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Kaladi Brothers, Bear Tooth, Vidyo, Chugach School District, and Alaska Pediatric Therapy.
Email PLAAY Director Wally Wilson or visit plaay.org for more information on the PLAAY Summit or PLAAY Day.