Louisville Sports Commission’s SportsFun(d) Program Recognized Among Aspen Institute’s 2021 Project Play Champions Cohort
Annual program salutes cohort national organizations for taking meaningful action for youth sports
Louisville, Ky. – July 27, 2021— The Louisville Sports Commission’s SportsFun(d) program was honored today by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative as a 2021 Project Play Champion. This recognition comes as a result of Sports Fun(d)’s grant program that helps expand and create additional, affordable and sustainable recreational sports leagues and activities in the neighborhoods where kids live. Project Play honors a select number of national organizations annually who are taking new, meaningful and specific actions consistent with Project Play’s strategies for youth sports.
Launched in 2013, the Aspen Institute’s Project Play develops, applies and shares knowledge that helps build healthy communities through sports. Project Play works with leading organizations to develop and share best practices and solutions to foster quality sports activity for all youth, regardless of zip code or ability.
Project Play Champions are recognized each year at the Project Play Summit, the nation’s premier annual gathering of leaders at the intersection of youth, sport and health. The 2021 Project Play Summit will be a virtual event on October 19-20 and you can learn more at as.pn/ppsummit
“We’re proud to highlight our 2021 Project Play Champions, exemplar organizations working to provide high-quality sport and play opportunities for young people across the country,” said Tom Farrey, Executive Director for the Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program. “Each organization’s commitment to a meaningful action aligned with our 8 Plays will both increase the quantity and quality of sport opportunities.”
“The Aspen Institute is the gold standard for driving change in our society and championing equitable programming for kids in sports,” said Luke Gamble, SportsFun(d) Interim Executive Director. “SportsFun(d) is a new kid on the block in the area of providing grants so that kids in underserved neighborhoods in our community can participate in recreational sports activities. We’re proud to receive the Aspen Institute’s Project Play Champion designation and will continue to work hard to make a difference in our community through sports.”
SportsFun(d) currently has identified and is working with the following programming partners:
• Flaget Rams Youth Football / USA Football
• KIVA / Pioneer Region USA Volleyball
• Louisville City FC
• Louisville Fencing Club / USA Fencing
• Louisville Parks and Recreation
• West Louisville Tennis Club / USTA Kentucky
• West Side Track Club / USA Track & Field Kentucky
• YMCA of Greater Louisville
SportsFun(d). “More sports, more kids, more places”— more play. For more information about SportsFun(d) including how to apply for grants, go to http://sportsfundky.org. You can also email Luke Gamble at lgamble@louisvillesports.org.