FOREST YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

MISSION
We believe that no child should be turned away if they have a desire to play. We make every effort to be inclusive, but some sports are required to follow area boundaries due to league boundaries.

FOUNDED IN 1985
Forest Youth Athletic Association has a long history of serving the youth and families across the Forest area of Bedford County. We run mostly on volunteers to serve local youth who want the opportunity to play sports.

A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT
Forest Youth Athletic Association (FYAA) is a private youth sports non-profit 501(c)(3) EIN: 52-1275638. FYAA is a community partner of Bedford County Parks and Recreation (BCPR) but operates as an independent and private non-profit with our own mission and programs.
At Forest Youth Athletic Association, we believe that participation in youth sports, health and wellness, and community involvement helps build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. Join us to invest in our youth and strengthen our community.
Forest Youth Athletic Association (FYAA), is a private youth sports non profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to offering opportunities for area youth to participate in sports.
We rely on registration fees, donations, sponsorships, community partnerships, and local volunteers to serve local youth who want the opportunity to play sports. We believe that no child should be turned away if they have a desire to play.
FYAA secures approximately 80% of the funds each year from registration fees, donations, and sponsorships. These funds cover costs associated with uniforms, building costs, utilities, insurance, league registrations, capital upgrades, as well as upkeep of the fields, grounds and playground, a percentage of pay for the referees, officials, and umpires for all sports, and other operational costs including accounting, security, and administrative costs.
Bedford County (through the Parks and Recreation department) provide approximately 20% of costs associated with county sanctioned recreation sports: basketball, soccer, football, flag-football, baseball, softball, cheerleading). This portion of funds supports mowing and line the fields, provide some of the required sports equipment, trash collection, bathroom supplies, and a percentage of pay for the referees, officials, and umpires for county sanctioned sports.
In the course of a year, more than 2,000 children participate in soccer, baseball, softball, tee ball, football, cheerleading, basketball, and lacrosse. Registrations for these sports are held at the same time every year. Winter sports registrations are in October, spring sports are in January, and all fall sports registrations are in June.
In cooperation with Bedford County, residents are eligible for sports through FYAA. However, FYAA believes that no child should be turned away from the opportunity to play sports. We make every effort to be inclusive, but some sports are required to follow area boundaries due to league boundaries.
FYAA runs as an almost entirely volunteer-based organization with incredible community support from participating families, local businesses, and trusted partnerships. If you are interested in getting more involved, please contact the FYAA office at admin@forestyouth.org. The Board of Directors meets monthly on the third Thursday. Minutes from the meetings are available for your review in the FYAA office.
If you’d like to make a tax deductible contribution to the FYAA, you can send your contribution to: FYAA, 3372 Thomas Jefferson Road, Forest, VA 24551.
Board of Directors
Executive Members:
President - Scott Zaring
Vice President - Ray Armes
Secretary - TJ Cowart
Treasurer - Ashleigh Karol
Board Members:
Brandon Baber
Dara Cranney
Mark Dunevant
Jeff Ellis
Jennifer Releford
Rodney Wuergler
Sports Commissioners:
Chris Stokes, Baseball Commissioner
VACANCY, Basketball Commissioner
Melinda Thacker, Cheer Commissioner
Anthony Markham, Cheer Co-Commissioner
Rodney Wuergler, Football Commissioner
Nate White, Assistant Football Commissioner
Chris Clark, Lacrosse Commissioner
Angie Davis, Softball Commissioner
Ryan Ziegler, Soccer Commissioner
Questions or comments? Please call 434-525-6866 or email us at admin@forestyouth.org.
501(C)(3) FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 52-1275638
Every dollar counts. Your support ensures that we can effectively offer programs in youth sports for everyone in our community. It also allows FYAA to provide those programs in the most efficient and strategic way possible.
Please contact us, at admin@forestyouth.org or 434-525-6866 with any questions.
For transparency, FYAA files a public 990 form annually, which can be viewed on the IRS website or here on our website to the right. Annual 990 forms are posted as they are verified by the IRS each year.