The United States Team Penning Association, Inc. (“USTPA”) today announced the formation of the United States Youth Team Penning Association, the all-new Youth organization of the USTPA.
The USYTPA’s mission is to promote the sports of Team Penning and Ranch Sorting with special emphasis on youth riders and programs. Other important aspects of the association’s mission is to develop leadership capabilities, encourage good moral character and sportsmanship, while also enabling youth members to learn about the leadership, structure and functions of the USTPA through their participation in the USYTPA.
The USYTPA will be initially headed by Lead Youth Coordinator, Niki Saggione, and supported by Area Coordinators Kerri Longtine and Sonya Buckner. The inaugural group of Youth Officers includes USYTPA President, Sarah Sodrel, Vice President Cali Brookshire, and Jr. Officers Shiann Buckner and Bleu Hall.
“We are all very excited about the USTPA’s new youth organization, stated Lead Coordinator Niki Saggione”. “Our youth are the future of our sport, and the USYTPA gives them a vehicle through which they can learn and grow as competitors and future leaders”.
With the introduction of the USYTPA, the youth age classification has been expanded to include Beginner Youth (8 and under), Jr. Youth (9-12), and Sr. Youth (13-18). New competition classes are also being added to provide additional opportunities for youth of every age and skill level to learn and compete in Team Penning & Ranch Sorting.
The USYTPA is also launching a totally revamped Youth Scholarship Program where Jr. Youth and Sr. Youth can both earn annual scholarships of up to $5,000 each. Scholarships will be awarded at the USYTPA World Championship Finals based on the results of the youth points race throughout the year.
“It’s so important that the USTPA focuses on our youth and youth programs, commented USTPA President, Noah Sodrel”. “The USYTPA will enable us to direct that focus where it can do the most good for these future leaders of our sport, and we look forward to a much brighter future because of this exciting new organization”.
About the USTPA. The United States Team Penning Association is the oldest International Governing Body for the sports of Team Penning and Ranch Sorting. The USTPA was formed as a non-profit association in 1993 to promote Team Penning and Ranch Sorting across the United States and internationally, with standardized rules and a rider rating system designed to provide fair competition for beginners to experienced riders.
About the USYTPA. The United States Youth Team Penning Association is the USTPA’s Youth membership organization. The USYTPA was formed to promote the sports of Team Penning and Ranch Sorting with special emphasis on youth riders and programs.
