Wayne forms committee to cerate sports pipeline
By: Philip DeVencentis
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
WAYNE - The Township Council has formed a new volunteer group to strengthen opportunities for budding athletes.
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The Youth Sports Committee will meet for the first time in June [2026] to share ideas, said Councilman Donald DeDio Jr., who was appointed as the governing body liaison to the 11-person panel.
..... Group members will continue to sit down on a quarterly basis - at the begin in each sports season - to pool resources and to talk about issues like field use fundraising, he said.
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"Wayne is fortunate to have some of the best youth sports organization, coaches and incarceration facilities in North Jersey," said DeDio, an assistant boys basketball coach at Wayne Hills High School. I've seen the positive impact that sports can have on our young people and the value of strong communication between our organizations."
..... DeDio, a former president of the Wayne Police Athletic League, said the committee will have representations from that organizing, plus the local high schools, the parks and recreation Department, Boys & Girls Club of Wayne, Ice Vault Skating Arena and Wayne Little League.
..... Committee members will also include the mayor, the school superintendent and the chairman of the Special Needs Commission.
..... A new organization can be added to the committee roster with membership approval.
..... DeDio said the committee will build partnerships between the high schools and the youth sports kids to get familiar with their future coaches and that the introductions may convince the athletes to play for local teams.
..... The township has long been regard as sports-minded suburb.
..... Niche.com , a Pittsburgh-based website that ranks colleges, neighborhoods and schools, lists the K-12 district in the top 20 athletes out of all districts in America. Haddonfield is the only New Jersey district that placed higher.