According to Health.gov, participating in sports is associated with lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem and confidence, less substance abuse and fewer risky behaviors, increased creativity and even more. Since the start of the pandemic, parents have been searching for more and more ways to keep their kids entertained and active without the technology they have been so accustomed to. Thankfully, Kidsports in Eugene, Oregon provides youth sports programs for pre-K through 12th graders to kids in the area no matter their background or financial status.
Having a space for kids to come together and learn through play is a valuable opportunity that no kid should be left out of. Kidsports fundraising efforts make sure that there is no barrier. Last year, Kidsports provided $228,494 in scholarships for 4,002 kids in the Eugene community. Dan Duncan, a Kidsports coach, saw firsthand the importance of a kid getting a scholarship and said, “I had been coaching an 8th-grade football team that had only 12 players and going into the final game had lost every game that season. One boy on the team who was on scholarship did not have transportation to any games or practice so I usually took him. To this final game, I was unable to get him and he got himself dressed and on the bus across town to the game just before the start. Even without the success on the field, it was important enough to him to get himself to every practice and games despite the obstacles in his way.” Duncan could see the player building character as a result of being on a team. He added, “without the scholarship and support of Kidsports, kids like this would never have the chance to experience sports and the meaning of being on a team.”
Kidsports offer teams for any kind of interest including, football (flag and tackle), soccer (spring and fall), volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, softball and baseball. Kids can go play with their friends after school and feel like they have a place where they belong.
Sports have played a big part in my childhood and have taught me important lessons that still apply to the work I do today. The work that Kidsports does will have ripple effects in the lives of the children who go through the program with the positivity they bring. I can’t wait to see what good they will continue to do in the future.