When it comes to our children’s future, we are playing games.
Project Play WNY is a trusted resource for families and youth sport organizations to keep kids of all ages active and engaged through play and sport.
Project Play is driven and funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Youth Sports & Recreation focus area in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program.
Project Play
Learn more about Project Play and its annual summit, where we assess the nation’s state of play and leaders take next steps in building healthy communities through sport.
Hear from Dion Dawkins of the Buffalo Bills about Project Play’s mission in Western New York.
Our Mission
Project Play Western New York envisions a community in which all children have the opportunity to be active through sports regardless of zip code.
Every child—regardless of location, income or ability—should have access to fun and fulfilling physical activities that build confidence and set them on a path for lifelong success. A quality youth sports experience can build happier children, healthier families and stronger communities.
Our Framework
Project Play Western New York is modeled after Project Play’s “Eight Plays.” These are eight strategies identified by the Aspen Institute to help children become—and stay—physically active through sports.
Ask Kids What They Want
Reintroduce Free Play
Encourage More Sport Sampling
Revitalize In-Town Leagues
Think Small
Design for Development
Train All Coaches
Emphasize Prevention
Partner Spotlight: Cornerstone
Cornerstone helps organizations, coaches, and families change the conversation around youth sport to highlight the lifetime values learned through a child’s involvement in sports.
Built with input from coaches and youth sport organizations, Cornerstone offers FREE resources and tools to help organizations attract, support, and retain coaches and youth while making the coaching and playing experience more enjoyable for kids, families, and communities.
Let’s Play!
We want to empower you to make the biggest difference for our children. Below, you will find materials and resources to aid you in helping to improve the state of youth sports in Western New York.
Families
All families want the best for their kids. We hope the following resources and events can help to guide you on a path toward the opportunities and information you need to get and keep your child playing!
Coaches
As a volunteer or professional coach, you are always on the run from one practice or game to the next, but these resources can help you up your game on your time and from your own home or office.
Organizations
As our initiative gains momentum, youth sports organizations will play a vital role in inspiring our children with the power of play. Explore our resources to create more opportunities for play in your youth programs.
