Nominations Open for the 2021 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award

March 26, 2021  

As part of the prestigious 2021 Sports Humanitarian Awards presented by ESPN, the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award celebrates the legendary sports icon's commitment to leadership and service. It is awarded to US high school and college-aged students who, like Billie Jean King, are using sports to improve their communities with applications open through May 10.  

The Sports Humanitarian Awards celebrate and honor athletes, teams and sports industry professionals who use the power of sport to make a difference in their communities. The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award recognizes and supports young people showcasing how they are using the power of sport as a catalyst for change within their local schools or communities.

In order to be eligible, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident under 25 years of age. Click here to begin your application or to find out more information on the Award, including the in-depth eligibility criteria.

This year, the Award winners will receive some incredible opportunities: 

• They will be honored and their work celebrated during the Sports Humanitarian Awards, joining the incredible nominees of other prestigious awards, including the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.  
  
• They will receive a one-time scholarship of $10,000 to go toward their college education or a grant to the charitable program of which they are a part of. 
  
• They will participate in learning development and experiential experiences. These include once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that will help improve and further their efforts to use sport to make change in their local communities, including mentoring, leadership coaching, engaging with senior leaders in sport, participating in sport-for-development workshops and the chance to meet and learn from legendary athlete and social activist, Billie Jean King. 
  
• And finally, through the Award’s alumni program, the winners will forever be part of a meaningful and powerful network of young leaders who we believe will go on to achieve great things for their community and the world, all through the power of sports. 
  

Watch the introductory information session - and sign up for upcoming digital Question and Answer sessions - here.   

Applications close May 10. If you have any questions, please send a message to [email protected].