Resources for Youth Sports Organizations

As part of its mission to give children the opportunity to lead active, healthy and fun lifestyles, Project Play WNY awards grants to organizations providing youth sports and “Free Play” programming, and celebrates the contributions of coaches.

A Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) is a written document that establishes the specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in any setting – be it a school, community organization, workplace, or sports facility. The American Heart Association provides guidance to help organizations create, share, practice, activate, and evaluate a cardiac emergency response plan.

New York State Public Health Law includes AED requirements youth sports leagues in New York State with at least five (5) teams participating in organized events such as games, tournaments, or matches. Learn what’s required of your youth sports organization. 

Is your Youth Sports Organization prepared for cardiac emergencies? The American Heart Association hosted a free webinar for youth sports and community-based organizations interested in learning about how to create a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP). View the recording by clicking below.

Is your child’s school team or youth sports program in need of equipment? Good Sports is a nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of new sporting equipment, footwear and apparel to youth organizations, local teams and schools based on true need. To learn more about Good Sports’ criteria for equipment donations, visit their website today.

The Project Play Playbook is a 50-page report aggregating the eight most promising strategies to foster the development of healthy children and communities through play.

To better understand the state of youth sports in our communities, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation commissioned three regional studies by the Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program. Out of that research, Project Play WNY was established

The research that came out of State of Play was eye-opening. It gave us tremendous insight into how we can shift the state of youth sports in Western New York, and our partner region of Southeast Michigan, to help shape the futures of our children and our communities.

Playworks helps kids stay active while they build valuable social and emotional skills through play. Learn how you can create opportunities for play in your schools and youth programs.

Focuses on strengthening communities by increasing capacity at nonprofit organizations by filling gaps in existing supports and building on ongoing efforts.

Our community has faced tremendous challenges and endured multiple traumatic events over the last few years. Youth sports can heal. Youth organizations can play an important role in integrating trauma-informed care into their programming by educating coaches and other leaders.