Author: Nafaflyballblog

Emily Allred, John Forseth, Tina Hayden, Michelle Largent, Darcey Sare

 Q1: What is one of your favorite parts of flyball?  Tell us why it is your favorite.

Emily Allred: 

My favorite part of flyball is undoubtedly the community. I wasn’t fortunate enough to have a family I’m close with, so the support and camaraderie of the flyball community have been incredibly meaningful to me. It’s so much more than a sport for me. The connections I’ve built through flyball have filled a significant place in my life, and I’m deeply grateful for the shared passion and friendships this community provides.

John Forseth: 

One of my most favorite things about Flyball is the community. During my time playing I have had the great opportunity to meet people from all over that have a common interest. This has helped shape my perspective of the sport and gain many new friends.

Tina Hayden: 

One of my favorite parts of flyball is the feeling of community, support and inclusion. It is so much more than just supporting other teams when needed at tournaments, the amount of support I have seen as well as received over the years is astounding. We are more than just competitors, we are people with everyday challenges and struggles that are often surrounded in compassion, support and understanding by those within the entire flyball community. 

I also love the connection with my dogs that I feel flyball has helped me form. My dogs have taught me to simply enjoy every moment with them. While titles, awards and ribbons are nice, at the end of a weekend all our dogs are aware of is that they got to spend time doing fun things with their favorite human. It has taught me to be okay with missing out on that personal goal I thought was important going into the weekend and embracing the time together.

Michelle Largent: 

That’s a tough question because it’s hard to choose just one aspect of flyball. In my 20+ years of involvement in dog sports, every one of my dogs has truly loved flyball, whether it’s for the thrill of the race, the excitement of the ball, or the joy of the reward. Flyball has given me the opportunity to bond with my dogs on a deeper level. I’ve had the privilege of sharing this sport with eight personal dogs over the years, and it’s been an honor to see all of them embrace the competition with enthusiasm.

Darcey Sare: 

I love how excited my dogs get when they get to play. They will turn themselves inside out for the game, and I do everything I can to encourage that. Nothing builds a relationship with your dog more than simply playing with them. Dogs are always up for a good time, I’m glad to go along with them for the ride, and there’s no dogsport ride like flyball.

Q2: What challenges do you see NAFA facing and how would you address those challenges on the Board?

Emily Allred: 

One of the biggest challenges I see for NAFA is growing the sport and keeping people involved. Flyball is such a fun and unique activity with so many benefits, but we need to get it in front of more people. I’d love to see more outreach through partnerships with dog trainers, shelters, and breed clubs to introduce new teams to the sport. Just as important is making sure new players feel welcome and supported by creating mentorship opportunities, celebrating milestones, and making it easy for people to stay involved. 

John Forseth: 

One of the biggest challenges that NAFA faces is all the different dog sports that people can do with their dogs (dock diving, frisbee, agility…). Keeping Flyball affordable is a big way to keep interest in the sport. We also need to identify and help teams give young dogs a chance to be proofed and ready for competition.

Tina Hayden: 

Some of the challenges I see within our own region and I know other regions are struggling with it as well are smaller tournaments, fewer teams hosting tournaments and finding and retaining potential new team members. While I feel the partnerships with ESPN and AKC have helped in raising awareness of flyball, perhaps a growth committee would help with increasing that exposure on more local levels.  The committee could work with each individual region that feels they need more assistance either through the RD or a committee formed at the regional level.

Michelle Largent: 

I bring over 20 years of flyball experience on the West Coast, along with insights gained from traveling across five different regions. Through my travels, I’ve observed how each region operates uniquely, with varying challenges even within the West Coast, such as those between Regions 7, 6, and 16. My experiences give me a well-rounded perspective that I can contribute to the NAFA board to represent these regions effectively.

One specific challenge I’ve noticed on the West Coast is the decline in participation and hosting of the multibreed division. Many teams choose not to enter multibreed for various reasons, and host clubs often don’t offer it at tournaments. I’m passionate about seeing the multibreed division thrive and would like to work with the board to address these challenges, exploring ways to revitalize this division and provide additional incentives to encourage participation.

Darcey Sare: 

There are financial challenges for sure. Balancing the need for increased revenue against the desire to keep fees reasonable and services available will be the challenge. Finding additional revenue streams and having possibly difficult conversations about provided services may be required.

Q3: What committees would you like to serve on if elected and why?  (Standing committees:  Disciplinary, Election, Finance, Judges, Marketing, and Rules; Special committees: Junior participants, Technology, Communications, Invitational)

Emily Allred: 

If re-elected, I would love to continue serving on the Communications, Marketing, and Disciplinary Committees. I believe my experience and skills in public relations make me an asset in improving outreach and engagement with the flyball community. Effective communication is vital for growing and sustaining our sport, and I’m committed to helping NAFA share its message. I also value my role on the Disciplinary Committee, ensuring fair and transparent processes that uphold the integrity of the sport.

John Forseth: 

Being a Supervising Judge I feel that I could contribute most to Rules and Judges committees. Within those committees I could bring a fair and knowledgeable opinion that is formed from life experiences and willingness to listen and observe. I would also like to contribute to other Special Committees like Technology, Invitational, and other committees as they arise.

Tina Hayden: 

The committees I would like to serve on are: 
Marketing – I enjoying creating marketing materials and promoting events/programs/organizations

Junior participants – they are the future of flyball and it is important to find ways to keep them engaged as they age

Invitational – I love being a part of the planning process of events both large and small.  I have experience in planning various events both large and small.

Michelle Largent: 

I would be happy to serve wherever the chair feels I can contribute most effectively. That said, I have a particular passion for supporting junior participants, as my son is also involved in flyball. Additionally, I’m very interested in the Marketing, Judges, Rules, and Invitational Committees.

As a dog trainer and club owner, I have a strong interest in marketing the sport of flyball. I teach flyball classes to pet owners in the Bay Area of California, and despite the state’s size, I’m often surprised by how small our region is. One of my personal goals is to help grow the sport, and I believe this is an area where the board can make a significant impact. Building interest and engagement needs to start at the grassroots level, and I’d love to contribute to that effort.

As a mom of a junior handler, I’ve noticed the challenges in keeping young participants engaged. In our region, there are tournaments where my son is the only junior handler present, and that lack of peer connection has affected his enthusiasm for the sport. Like many of us, kids need incentives to stay motivated—something to look forward to or work toward. I’d love to see the development of a junior handler program where young participants can earn titles for various roles they take on during tournaments or practices. While the Junior Handler Division at CanAm is fantastic, not all kids can participate due to travel and school commitments. Expanding opportunities for juniors across all regions could make a meaningful difference.

Finally, through my travels, I’ve observed variations in the interpretation of rules from one region to another. This can make competing across regions a unique challenge. My interest in serving on the Judges or Rules Committee stems from a desire to help foster greater consistency across regions, making flyball a more cohesive experience for everyone.

Darcey Sare: 

I feel I would offer the most value to the Disciplinary, Rules and Judges committees as well as the Technology special committee.

Q4: What strengths would you bring to the NAFA Board? 

Emily Allred: 

My biggest strength is my unwavering passion for flyball—it’s truly my life. I eat, sleep, and breathe this sport, and that enthusiasm drives everything I do. My love for flyball is evident in the time and energy I dedicate to it, and I believe that passion is contagious. I bring that same energy to sharing the sport with the public, whether through outreach, education, or helping others discover the joy and community flyball offers.

John Forseth: 

Professionally I maintain and oversee the day-to-day operations of a multi-tenant local government building. The strengths that I have gained doing this job would translate onto the board in the ability to work within a group, maintain a set budget, identify areas of need vs. want, and look out for the well-being of the organization.

Tina Hayden: 

Some of my main strengths are: 

• My passion for flyball and the desire to help NAFA grow
• Ability to think outside of the box
• Strong organizational skills
• Able to meet deadlines 
• Task/Goal oriented 
• Strategic planner
• Strong communicator
• Ability to work well with all types of personalities

Michelle Largent: 

I am honored to be part of such an incredible group of nominees. Each of us brings unique strengths to this role, and I believe we would all serve with dedication and integrity. Personally, I bring years of commitment and passion for the sport, along with a wealth of experience—both the highs and the challenges. My background includes growing a successful club, training clients who have gone on to compete in flyball, and fostering positive development within the community.

I offer a fresh perspective rooted in diverse experiences, and I always strive to approach board discussions with respect and openness. I pride myself on being an active listener, valuing the input of others, and fostering constructive communication. I believe positive growth in our sport requires collaboration from all sides, especially in a community where members span different regions with varying goals.

Unfortunately, I was on a family vacation during the candidate chat, but if anyone has additional questions, I would be happy to connect. Please feel free to reach out!

Darcey Sare: 

I am an effective communicator and am able to leverage my years of IT support experience into managing people and expectations. I also love the minutia of logistics. I’m a nerd, what can I say? 🙂

1. Why do you want to be a member of the NAFA Board of Directors?

Leerie Jenkins

I served on the NAFA board previously for 13 years.  After sitting out the required year, I find I miss it and would love to help again by donating my time and effort.  It’s a lot of work, but it can be very rewarding too.  I feel it’s super important to consider the needs of all the different types of clubs, competitors, and regions; and to consider the impact to each of these groups when making rules and policies.  I feel I have something positive to contribute in this area.

Jayne McQuillen

I truly believe if you want to make a positive impact within any volunteer organization, you need to be willing to not just talk, but to be willing to help out.  Three years ago, when someone suggested I run for the BOD, I thought this was a great opportunity to give back to the sport I love.  Working on a volunteer BOD takes compromise, listening skills and patience.  I fully understood that the majority of the work of the NAFA BOD is not glamourous.  No one will applaud your efforts, and you’ll need a tough skin.  In fact, if you do the work really well, people are unlikely to even know you did anything.  That’s exactly why I volunteered.  It was my chance to be one of the people who make NAFA hum along smoothly.  I want to make sure that the average participant can just enjoy playing this sport with their dog, teammates and the greater flyball community.  

Paula Johnson

I ran for the Board last year and was not successful, but that didn’t deter me from wanting to run once again. I was fortunate enough to be asked to fulfil the remainder of Emma Mak’s terms when family obligations necessitated that she step away. My experience with the board over the last several months has only served to make me want to continue to work for the organization at this level. 

It isn’t easy and it is very time consuming but so rewarding. I have a greater appreciation for what goes into making NAFA run smoothly and seamlessly so that we can all go play with our dogs and our teammates. We don’t always get everything right, but I can guarantee that we all come to the table with the best of intentions and a willingness to work together to make NAFA the best it can be as an organization.

I feel I have the skills and the time to put into the role. I have only scratched the surface of what is possible and would love the opportunity to continue to work on behalf of all of you on the Board.

Kayla Inman

I applied to be a member of the NAFA board of directors because I want to help inspire more new flyballers to join us and be more involved. I have been a part of the flyball community since 2018 and competing since 2019. I am a member of the Westside Woofers out of Grand Junction, CO, and always enjoy competing and traveling with my team. In my day job, I travel often and encounter more people who don’t know what flyball is than know what it is. I want to bring passion, knowledge, and excitement to the board to help expand the resources for teams, new members, and bring more small town teams to the conversation.

Russ Bob

I think some small clubs that attend a lot of tournaments, should have some representation and a voice on the BOD.

2. NAFA has these Standing Committees – Disciplinary, Election, Finance, Judges, Marketing, Rules and these Special Committees – NAFA Blog, Technology, Communications. Which board committee(s) would you make the best contributions to and why?

Jayne McQuillen

I currently am the Chairperson of the BOD, so I oversee every committee. As a member of the Disciplinary Committee, I do my best to treat everyone fairly and with understanding.  None of us want to be in this situation, so  I think it’s a particularly hard committee assignment, as you deal with very emotionally charged situations.  I have the utmost sympathy, I have been there myself, with my first dog who bit a teammate’s dog.  I think I bring the understanding that we can love our dogs, but also acknowledge that they did something wrong.  Before becoming Chair my favorite committees were Rules, Communication, and the Blog committees.  I personally like writing and sharing information.  I also find the Rules Committee enjoyable.  It’s very detail oriented.  As a former Regional Director, I already attempted to know the NAFA rulebook front to back.  It can always be improved.  It’s a large document with a lot of overlapping information.  There have been many edits and editors over the years.  We don’t always get T crossed of I dotted exactly right with each change.  As such I just approved a project to have further formatting updates done to the Rulebook formatting.  Hopefully this will make the document searchable, universally formatted and with better cross referencing.       

Kayla Inman

I would do well with the marketing, technology, and communications committees. I work professionally as a marketer and public relations specialist. I would be able to bring my expertise in sales, marketing, and networking to these committees. I also work with many software programs and would also be an asset to the technology committee. 

Russ Bobb

I believe that I could make some small contributions to Rules, Finance and maybe Communications.

Paula Johnson

Most recently, I have taken the lead on creating a Junior Participant special Committee (more on that to come so stay tuned). They are our future and the special Junior Division at CanAm was proof that we can and should do more to include and encourage our juniors.

Committees are essential to getting things done for NAFA. I have been able to be part of the Marketing and Communications committee as well a taking over the Blog committee chair role. I really enjoy using some of my background in public relations and marketing to help get the word out about NAFA to the broader community. Building a better SM presence would be on my wish list if I was to continue on the Board.

I would also be interested in being on the Judge’s committee to work towards building consistency across regions, as well as encouraging and developing new judges.

Leerie Jenkins

During my previous tenures with the NAFA board, I served on all the committees.  As a non-board member, I’m currently serving on the rules, judges, technology, and blog committees.  I can help out on any committees the Chair would assign to me, but I think these best utilize my skill set and interests.