A recent report by the State University entitled Richmond’s Youth Sport Assessment found that 25 percent of Richmond Metro youth participated last year in organized sport, as compared to 85-90 percent in suburbs. Current estimates show that there are approximately 40,000 children living in Richmond Metro between the ages 6 and 14. Contrary the metro area, there are many options for youth sports in the suburbs. These include strong financial support and a wide variety. Urban girls are less likely to get involved in organized sports because they have not had the chance to be physically active, coach, or part of a team. They also don’t have access to ‘#8220 negative recreation (drugs, violence, or sexual activities) until a later time.
Clinical studies also show that sports and recreation programs can help youth establish lifelong, healthy, physical activity patterns. According to President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Prevention, regular physical activity can help with life-threatening illnesses, anxiety, weight control, and building and maintaining healthy bones, muscles and joints.
No matter their race, gender, income, income, or age, the children of the city’s core need to have an opportunity to succeed in education and sport. YouthSports is being created to help Richmond children have the same opportunity to play organized sports.
YouthSports was awarded a three year matching grant from the John Ford Stevenson Foundation (JFSF) to help them and their corporate partners use organized sports and exercise programs to promote healthy growth in youth.
JFSF is the largest philanthropy in America devoted to health and care. It is based in San Francisco. Its grantmaking is focused on three goals: to ensure that all Americans have access at affordable cost to basic health care; to improve care for those with chronic illnesses; and to reduce the economic, personal and social harm that substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs, causes.
Schools and health care centers will host sport registration. The JFSF renewable matching grant is based on the concept that local funding sources have the clearest understanding of their communities’ needs. With the help of local partners, substantial funding will be available for the project.
Collaboration partners include:
- BlueCross/BlueShield.
- Mayor Linda Hargrove, City of Richmond
- Parks & Recreation Department.
- Richmond Unified School District.
- Templex Corporation.
- A.I. Kaufman and Sons.
- PriceRight Supermarkets.
- Avion Computers.
- The Richmond Mall
- Richmond Bank.
- Rider Corporation
YouthSports will continue to grow its support base by securing additional funding from program sponsors.
1.1 Objectives
- To increase participation in youth sports and recreation programs in the Richmond Metro area.
- To increase youth access and healthy development.
1.2 Mission
YouthSports’ mission it to create a youth program in Richmond Metro that increases both the number of people who participate in sport and the healthy development of the youth.
Success keys 1.3
- To promote and recruit team coaches, use the school system.
- Reduce costs associated with maintenance of the field and facilities by using the school or city park system.
- Supporting the City Council in providing scholarship funds for those youth who are financially disadvantaged and want to engage in sport.
- Recruiting more corporate support for the sports program.
- Maintaining a high rate of approval from the area’s parents and youth.
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