GameChanger Launches New Program To Keep Kids Active in Youth Sports
GameChanger, a DICK'S Sporting Goods company, has launched the Stay & Play Champions program to address declining youth sports participation. The program features five teen athletes who will organize events and advise GameChanger on promoting play persistence in their communities. Each Champion, nominated by a non-profit, will focus on reducing barriers for underrepresented athletes and encouraging kids to stick with sports.
The 2024 Champions include:
- Kingston Baez (17, FL) - Empowering community through sports
- Kingston Davenport (17, IA) - Active in Meskwaki Nation
- Johnathan Oaks (18, PA) - Promoting inclusion in Special Olympics
- Sydney Mednik (15, MD) - Co-founder of Pass with Purpose
- Maegha Ramanathan (16, CA) - Founder of Girls4Sports
The initiative aims to combat the trend of children quitting sports by age 11, as reported by the Aspen Institute.
GameChanger, una società di DICK'S Sporting Goods, ha lanciato il programma Stay & Play Champions per affrontare il calo della partecipazione sportiva giovanile. Il programma presenta cinque atleti adolescenti che organizzeranno eventi e forniranno consulenze a GameChanger su come promuovere la perseveranza nel gioco nelle loro comunità. Ogni Champion, nominato da un'organizzazione no-profit, si concentrerà su ridurre le barriere per atleti sottorappresentati e incoraggiare i bambini a rimanere nello sport.
I Campioni del 2024 includono:
- Kingston Baez (17, FL) - Potenziare la comunità attraverso lo sport
- Kingston Davenport (17, IA) - Attivo nella Meskwaki Nation
- Johnathan Oaks (18, PA) - Promuovere l'inclusione nelle Special Olympics
- Sydney Mednik (15, MD) - Co-fondatrice di Pass with Purpose
- Maegha Ramanathan (16, CA) - Fondatrice di Girls4Sports
L'iniziativa mira a combattere la tendenza dei bambini a lasciare lo sport entro l'età di 11 anni, come riferito dall'Aspen Institute.
GameChanger, una empresa de DICK'S Sporting Goods, ha lanzado el programa Stay & Play Champions para abordar la disminución de la participación deportiva juvenil. El programa cuenta con cinco atletas adolescentes que organizarán eventos y asesorarán a GameChanger sobre cómo promover la persistencia en el juego en sus comunidades. Cada Champion, nominado por una organización sin fines de lucro, se enfocará en reducir barreras para atletas subrepresentados y alentar a los niños a mantenerse en el deporte.
Los Campeones de 2024 incluyen:
- Kingston Baez (17, FL) - Empoderando a la comunidad a través del deporte
- Kingston Davenport (17, IA) - Activo en la Nación Meskwaki
- Johnathan Oaks (18, PA) - Promoviendo la inclusión en las Olimpiadas Especiales
- Sydney Mednik (15, MD) - Co-fundadora de Pass with Purpose
- Maegha Ramanathan (16, CA) - Fundadora de Girls4Sports
La iniciativa tiene como objetivo combatir la tendencia de los niños a abandonar el deporte antes de los 11 años, según informa el Aspen Institute.
GameChanger는 DICK'S Sporting Goods의 회사로서, 청소년 스포츠 참여 저하 문제를 해결하기 위해 Stay & Play Champions 프로그램을 출시했습니다. 이 프로그램은 다섯 명의 청소년 운동선수가 지역 사회에서 스포츠 지속성을 홍보하기 위해 이벤트를 조직하고 GameChanger에 조언할 것입니다. 비영리단체의 추천을 받은 각 Champion은 소외된 운동선수를 위한 장벽을 줄이고 아이들이 스포츠를 계속할 수 있도록 격려하는 데 집중합니다.
2024년 Champion에는 다음이 포함됩니다:
- Kingston Baez (17세, FL) - 스포츠를 통해 지역 사회를 강화
- Kingston Davenport (17세, IA) - Meskwaki Nation에서 활동
- Johnathan Oaks (18세, PA) - 특별올림픽에서의 포용성 증진
- Sydney Mednik (15세, MD) - Pass with Purpose의 공동 창립자
- Maegha Ramanathan (16세, CA) - Girls4Sports의 창립자
이 이니셔티브는 Aspen Institute에 따르면, 어린이들이 11세 이전에 스포츠를 그만두는 경향을 방지하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
GameChanger, une entreprise de DICK'S Sporting Goods, a lancé le programme Stay & Play Champions pour remédier à la baisse de la participation des jeunes au sport. Le programme met en avant cinq athlètes adolescents qui organiseront des événements et conseilleront GameChanger sur la promotion de la persistance dans le jeu dans leurs communautés. Chaque Champion, nommé par une organisation à but non lucratif, se concentrera sur la réduction des barrières pour les athlètes sous-représentés et l'encouragement des enfants à persévérer dans le sport.
Les Champions 2024 incluent :
- Kingston Baez (17 ans, FL) - Renforcer la communauté grâce au sport
- Kingston Davenport (17 ans, IA) - Actif dans la Nation Meskwaki
- Johnathan Oaks (18 ans, PA) - Promouvoir l'inclusion aux Special Olympics
- Sydney Mednik (15 ans, MD) - Co-fondatrice de Pass with Purpose
- Maegha Ramanathan (16 ans, CA) - Fondatrice de Girls4Sports
Cette initiative vise à lutter contre la tendance des enfants à abandonner le sport avant l'âge de 11 ans, comme le rapporte l'Aspen Institute.
GameChanger, ein Unternehmen von DICK'S Sporting Goods, hat das Programm Stay & Play Champions ins Leben gerufen, um sinkende Teilnahmequoten im Jugendsport anzugehen. Das Programm umfasst fünf jugendliche Athleten, die Veranstaltungen organisieren und GameChanger beraten werden, wie man die Spielbeständigkeit in ihren Gemeinden fördert. Jeder Champion, nominiert von einer gemeinnützigen Organisation, wird sich darauf konzentrieren, Hindernisse zu reduzieren für unterrepräsentierte Athleten und Kinder dazu zu ermutigen, beim Sport zu bleiben.
Die Champions 2024 sind:
- Kingston Baez (17, FL) - Stärkung der Gemeinschaft durch Sport
- Kingston Davenport (17, IA) - Aktiv in der Meskwaki Nation
- Johnathan Oaks (18, PA) - Förderung von Inklusion bei den Special Olympics
- Sydney Mednik (15, MD) - Mitbegründerin von Pass with Purpose
- Maegha Ramanathan (16, CA) - Gründerin von Girls4Sports
Die Initiative zielt darauf ab, dem Trend entgegenzuwirken, dass Kinder bis zum Alter von 11 Jahren mit dem Sport aufhören, wie es vom Aspen Institute berichtet wird.
- Launch of Stay & Play Champions program to encourage youth sports participation
- Collaboration with non-profits to identify and support teen athlete leaders
- Potential for increased community engagement and sports participation
- Addressing barriers for underrepresented athletes in sports
- None.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 7, 2024 / DICK'S Sporting Goods:
Originally published on DICK'S Sporting Goods Sideline Report
According to the Aspen Institute, the average child today spends less than three years playing a sport, quitting by age 11. For some marginalized groups, it's even earlier. This alarming trend underscores the need for initiatives encouraging children to continue participating in sports at the youth level.
In response to this need, GameChanger, the #1 rated youth sports app for live streaming, scheduling, and scorekeeping, a DICK'S Sporting Goods company, has launched its inaugural Stay & Play Champions program. This program brings together an all-star team of five teen athletes from across the country who are passionate about helping youth in their communities gain access to sports and stick with them. Each Champion was nominated by an associated non-profit based on their leadership in community sports initiatives, dedication to reducing barriers for underrepresented athletes, and ability to communicate their impact.
What Will the Champions Do?
GameChanger, in tandem with their associated nonprofit, will fund and support the Champions in planning and executing two events focused on play persistence in their home communities.
They will also raise awareness of the challenges and highlight unique approaches that encourage kids to stick with sports by meeting monthly to share learnings and advise GameChanger leadership.
"At GameChanger, we see firsthand how youth sports positively impact lives," said GameChanger Vice President of Community Rebecca Wasserman. "The Stay & Play Champions program is our way of amplifying the voice of youth athletes everywhere and ensuring they receive the support and resources they need to continue their athletic journey, overcome barriers, and thrive on and off the field. We're excited to learn from this group of remarkable Champions and work together to promote the importance of sports in communities nationwide."
The 2024 GameChanger Stay & Play Champions:
Kingston Baez, 17
Saint Cloud, FL
Nominated by Rise League
Kingston is a member of the Rise League. He plays in their basketball program and participates in their business program as well. He exemplifies the qualities of a leader both on and off the court, and won an AAU "most kind hearted award" for his efforts at lifting others' spirits. His passion is centered around empowering those in his community through sports and providing resources for those around him to thrive in their ambitions. In the future, Kingston wants to go to college and start a career in the tech industry. As a GameChanger Stay and Play Champion, Kingston sees the opportunity to bring the community together to collaborate, regardless of age or activity.
Kingston Davenport, 17
Montour, IA
Nominated by Indigenous H.O.O.P.S. League
A multi-sport athlete who enjoys basketball, baseball, and track, among others, Kingston is also an active member of the Meskwaki Nation. From a young age, he has enjoyed sharing new activities with his community. He leads by example, stepping out of his comfort zone to create pathways for others to follow. As a GameChanger Stay and Play Champion, Kingston is excited about the prospect of running basketball tournaments at the new recreation center on his settlement.
Johnathan Oaks, 18
Pittsburgh, PA
Nominated by Special Olympics of Pennsylvania
Johnathan is a member of his school's Special Olympics Unified Track and Field Team and the Flag Football team captain. He also competes on both the Special Olympics basketball and floorball teams. He's attended Special Olympics PA's Youth Leadership Summit in Pittsburgh and has earned numerous gold medals from Special Olympics for being a leader both on and off the field. Johnathan has a passion for promoting the inclusion of athletes of all abilities, and as a GameChanger Stay and Play Champion, he is eager to put on clinics to increase access for peers in his community.
Sydney Mednik, 15
Potomac, MD
Nominated by Athletes for Hope
Sydney is a competitive athlete and member of Athletes for Hope's High School Leadership Academy. Two years ago she co-founded a nonprofit organization called Pass with Purpose. This organization holds collection drives for gently used soccer uniforms from youth soccer clubs in the U.S. to donate to children worldwide. Pass with Purpose recently donated more than 1,000 jerseys and shorts as well as hundreds of pairs of socks to children living in impoverished areas of Zambia. Sydney is passionate about helping kids gain equitable access to sports and promoting play persistence. As a GameChanger Stay and Play Champion, she would like to host soccer clinics in her community to provide equipment and training to under-resourced youth.
Maegha Ramanathan, 16
Dublin, CA
Nominated by the Women's Sports Foundation
Maegha is the founder of Girls4Sports, a youth-led organization dedicated to expanding sports opportunities for girls in underserved communities so that the benefits of athletics can be accessible to all. Girls4Sports provides young women with safe spaces to practice, breaks down barriers obstructing their access to sports, and fosters inclusivity and equity in athletics. Maegha believes in the power of youth as changemakers and looks forward to continuing to expand her work with Girls4Sports and reaching more young athletes as a GameChanger Stay and Play Champion.
About GameChanger:
GameChanger empowers athletes, coaches, and families to stay connected through live streaming, scorekeeping, team management tools and developmental resources. Available on iOS, Android, and the web, GameChanger covers over 7MM+ games annually and 1M+ teams a year. The live streaming and team management technology is available for all youth sports, with deep stats and scorekeeping capability for baseball, softball and basketball. GameChanger is based in New York City and is owned and operated by DICK'S Sporting Goods.
GameChanger's inaugural Stay & Play Champions.
View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DICK'S Sporting Goods on 3blmedia.com.
Contact Info:
Spokesperson: DICK'S Sporting Goods
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/dicks-sporting-goods
Email: info@3blmedia.com
SOURCE: DICK'S Sporting Goods
View the original press release on accesswire.com
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