A New Bill Wants to Help Increase Youth Access To Sport Across the US
August 5, 2022
This week, U.S. Congressman Colin Allred, the United States representative from Texas’ 32nd congressional district, announced the introduction of the new PLAYS in Youth Sports Act. The bill calls on the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a “$75 million annual grant program to support non-profit organizations working to improve health and positive youth development through youth sports participation.”
The Plays in Youth Sports Act authorizes grants to support youth sports activities or promotion, training and certification for coaches, efforts to increase participation in youth sports and activities to promote safety and health, including abuse prevention.
Co-sponsored by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), the legislation was taken to Congress by the PLAY Sports Coalition (PLAYS), a co-funded coalition created by LeagueApps, a leading youth sports management platform. Created in 2020, PLAYS was established to ensure youth sports programs thrive as part of a vital movement to help repair a society that needs community, connectivity and joy. The coalition is made up of 4,000 members including the YMCA, the NFL, the NBA, the NHL, Special Olympics, LA84 Foundation and other local and national organizations. They have also unlocked $22.4M in funds for youth sports non-profits in underserved communities at the state level.
“I am where I am today thanks to the good folks at the YMCA, and we must support local organizations that strengthen our community through sports and other programs,” said Allred. “Team sports are not just about competition, it’s about building leadership skills and teaching kids how to work together toward a common goal. I am proud to introduce this legislation to help nonprofits in North Texas and across the country strengthen their sports programs.”
The effort was led by LeagueApps’ President, Jeremy Goldberg, Vice President of Community and Impact, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley and Director of Social Impact, Jared Cooper. The trio was working with lawmakers in New York, Ohio, and Massachusetts to increase state access to youth sports before setting their sights on creating change at a federal level. Working with Congressman Allred, along with leaders at the state level, PLAYS has been “a driving force in garnering support for youth sports and increasing access for all who want to play, especially those in underserved populations.”
In September 2021, 47% of youth sports parents said their child resumed sports at the same level as before the pandemic, that’s up from 40% five months earlier. However, only 13% of kids from lower-income brackets returned to sports at a higher pre-pandemic level. “It’s not right that some kids are left on the sidelines and never have the chance to experience sports,” said Goldberg, PLAYS co-chair.
“Children living in underserved communities have to overcome any number of obstacles to realize their full potential. Equitable access to sports programs shouldn't be another one, especially because sports participation offers advantages for life."
“The benefits of participating in sports are undeniable, but too many families are unable to experience those benefits, especially in underserved or at-risk communities,” said Mosley, Olympic gold medal winner and PLAYS executive director. “Legislation like the PLAYS in Youth Sports Act is critical to supporting these communities and giving kids and families the chance to succeed in life through participation in sports.”