NMSA supports PSS Sports Roundtable meetings

Public School System Athletic Department director Nick Gross talks to volunteers and teachers during a referee refresher course at the Marianas High School last month. Gross and PSS will be holding a series of meetings with sports stakeholders in the CNMI. (Contributed Photo)

In an effort to bring community stakeholders together to discuss Public School System Athletic Program development, PSS Athletic Program director Nick Gross will be hosting Sports Roundtable meetings on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

“In recent board meetings, NMSA members discussed working alongside other stakeholders to gain information that can be used for strategic planning purposes,” said Northern Marianas Sports Association president Mike White.

The NMSA board duly recognizes that it is important to get our communities collective input regarding sport opportunities and how best the PSS and NMSA can work together to address the needs of our community. Therefore, it is essential that any government office or other school organization that supports sports programs attend these events.

“In my dual role, I can see that there are gaps and overlaps in sports programs administration in the CNMI,” NMASA board member and NMI Volleyball Association president Laurie Peterka said. “It’s essential that all stakeholders are identified and come to the table so that all aspects and angles of sports administration can be reviewed and discussed.”

Peterka identified several stakeholders, such as Division of Youth Services under DCCA, Public Health, NMC, MVA, Parks and Rec as well as the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, and the mayor’s offices.

“All around us, there are community groups, formally organized or not, as well as the government agencies that support these community programs. “How much better can we do with the limited resources we have if we are all working together?” the NMIVA head added.

Meanwhile, Gross will be presenting the current vision of the newly formed PSS athletic programs department and gathering local stakeholder inputs to ensure equity within the CNMI in regards to athletic opportunities for our kids. Rota, Tinian, and Saipan have unique needs, as well as strengths and weaknesses that he’d like to identify with a select group of community stakeholders from each island.

“Please spread the word regarding this opportunity to share ideas, network, and work to organize ourselves to avoid duplicating activities,” Gross said.

Gross envisions a future where government agencies and non-profit groups plan and implement sporting/wellness activities for our youth together.

“This roundtable allows us an opportunity to streamline operations and avoid duplicating activities that we could collaborate on,” he added.

Gross will be conducting sports roundtables on Tinian at the JC Cafe on Sep. 27 from 9am to 1pm (30 pax) and at the Rota Mayor’s Office on Oct. 4 from 9am to 1pm (30 pax) as well. The Saipan roundtable will take place on Oct. 11 from 9am to 1pm at Pacific Islands Club. Contact Gross at nick.gross@cnmipss.org to reserve your space. Lunch is included and there is no cost to attend these events. (PR)