NEWS ARCHIVES

11/20/2009

Jacqueline’s Story…

When 15-year-old Jacqueline Nayame’s parents died three years ago she went to live with her aunt in Lusaka, Zambia. Unable to afford school fees, Nayame enrolled in the Fountain of Hope community school where she began taking part in Game On! Youth Sports activities. After just a short time, the services offered by the centre and the sports participation opportunities offered the Sammy Wilkinson Memorial Foundation (SWMF) indeed helped to restore hope in young Jacqueline.

“After joining the Fountain of Hope and taking part in Game On! activities, I have learned to be strong, focused and move on with life,” Nayame said. “Life is not just about having access to everything but having hope in the future and the feeling of being empowered to shape your destiny.”

Fountain of Hope is a drop in centre for kids in Zambia that also serves as a permanent residence for a number of children living in the streets or for those like Nayame who have lost their parents. The centre also has a clinic and Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre for kids to get tested for HIV/AIDS.

The Fountain of Hope collaborates with Sport in Action (SIA), a non-governmental organization and partner of IAYS working toward improving young adults and youths’ quality of life through sport and recreational activities. Thanks to this partnership, the children of Fountain of Hope are able to enjoy the benefits of IAYS’ signature program, Game On! Youth Sports.

“We are exposed to so many sporting activities which helps us to keep fit and active, but most importantly the interaction with other children from different backgrounds who are in similar circumstances helps us to realize the need to look for solutions to our problems,” Nayame said. “Sports help them to celebrate and smile again as they share their problems with others.”

Game On! Youth Sports programs are designed by IAYS to give children like Nayame the ability to develop sports skills while learning how to make healthy lifestyle decisions and avoid the negative behaviors that lead to the dangers of crime, violence, drug abuse, obesity and diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

11/18/2009

Fourth-grader teams with City of Malibu (Calif.) Parks and Recreation Department

to collect equipment for Global Gear Drive

A fourth-grade student has teamed with the City of Malibu (Calif.) Parks and Recreation Department to help out children in need worldwide through the Global Gear Drive.

Thanks to their efforts, from Nov. 26 of this year to Jan. 31 of 2010 equipment will be collected at three drop off locations in Malibu that will be contributed to the Global Gear Drive, a program of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS).

The Global Gear Drive collects new and used sports equipment that is sent to children in need throughout the country and around the world.

This first-ever Malibu Sports Gear Drive is co-sponsored by 9-year-old Jimmy Loftus, a Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School student. Loftus came up with the idea to assist the Global Gear Drive when he realized he had a variety of sports gear that he had outgrown that he didn’t want to simply just throw away.

The Malibu Sports Gear Drive will collect soccer balls, basketballs, baseballs, bats, athletic uniforms and shoes, among other items.

10/26/2009

Children in Dominica embrace Play On! Youth Sports

Children throughout Dominica are reaping the benefits of Play On! Youth Sports, an innovative youth sports Program that was developed as an extension of the widely successful Game On! Youth Sports program.

While Game On! Youth Sports introduces sports to children who otherwise don’t have opportunities to participate in them, Play On! Youth Sports focuses on providing children who have developed basic skills through Game On! with opportunities to further continue their involvement by participating in an organized program with a competitive element.

Play On! Youth Sports was launched in Dominica, an island in the Caribbean, earlier this year and has been receiving rave reviews from the children who have been participating.

“At the end of the first Play On! activity in Castle Bruce, a little girl came up to me and said, ‘Can we have another five minutes please?’ I shall never forget the innocence and honesty on the face of that little girl as she appealed to me to have the session continue for a few more minutes,” said Oswald Savarin, the Play On! youth sports administrator in Dominica.

Play On! Youth Sports welcomes children of all different ethnicities, religions and genders, as well as those with special needs.

One of the many unique aspects of Play On! Youth Sports is that it incorporates active participation from not only the children during practice and game play, but it also requires the assistance of a Play On! Youth Sports volunteer-based committee that includes the coaches, officials, parents and other community supporters.

It also encourages all youth participating in the program to become motivated peer leaders, volunteers or coaches for the program in their community while allowing themselves to continue to reach a personal level achievement.

Play On! Youth Sports ensures all children are competing in a positive and friendly environment with zero tolerance for violence, drug abuse, harassment or vulgarity of any kind, as guided under the International Alliance for Youth Sports’ Youth Sports Standards.

The program is also designed to guide league organizers on how to train all coaches and officials with the proper knowledge and instruction needed to successfully coach and officiate competitive sports at the youth level. It also is set up to help ensure that children and youth learn to effectively meet life’s challenges through acquiring life skills that directly apply to a young person’s life at home, in school, with their peers and in their community.

11/20/2009

New York high school holds fundraiser for international charity

Carle Place High School (N.Y.) raises funds and equipment for National Alliance for Youth Sports’ Global Gear Drive

The students of Carle Place High School in Long Island, New York recently held a special fundraising event in support of the Global Gear Drive – a National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) charity that distributes sports equipment to underprivileged youth worldwide.

On Friday, February 27th more than 200 students participated in Carle Place High School’s “Battle of the Classes,” where students competed in various events, such as soccer, basketball, tug of war, a pie eating contest and a talent skit.

To participate in the event students were required to donate pieces of sports equipment to the Global Gear Drive charity. The event was organized by Chris Ceruti, athletic director for Carle Place High School, who is a big supporter of the Global Gear Drive and a strong advocate of spreading the joy of sports to all children worldwide.

“Physical activity helps develop the whole person, character education, team work, responsibility and fair play,” said Ceruti. “Our physical education teachers also discuss the importance of giving to the less fortunate as a service learning project in physical education classes.”

Ceruti and her students were also raised $500 in donations at the event which will directly support Global Gear Drive efforts in 2009. Along with collecting new and gently used sports equipment, the Global Gear Drive accepts financial contributions to assist with the exorbitant cost of shipping to such distant countries as India and Zambia.

“It was a great success, we collected 8 large boxes of equipment (soccer balls, cleats, basketballs, tennis rackets, tennis balls, baseballs, softballs, gloves, lacrosse sticks, and much more.”

The Carle Place “Battle of the Classes” event was the first such Global Gear Drive fundraiser that involved the efforts of an entire school. NAYS hopes that other schools across the country follow their lead in spreading the joy sports participation to children all over the world.

“We sincerely thank Carle Place High School for their effort to support Global Gear Drive,” said Cindy Daub, director of the Global Gear Drive. “The equipment and the funds they raised will directly impact the lives of underprivileged boys and girls who want nothing more than to experience the joy that only sports participation can provide.”

The Global Gear Drive program was established by the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) to place quality sports equipment in the hands of children around the world who wish to take part in sports activities but are currently unable to do so due to shortages of equipment and gear. The Global Gear Drive currently has four international offices located in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

For more information or to get involved with the Global Gear Drive, contact Cindy Daub at Cdaub@nays.org or call (800) 688-KIDS.

11/20/2009

The National Global Gear Drive Successful

Ocean City, Maryland Schools 1st in the Nation

serve as model for all schools

Hello, my name is Al “Hondo” Handy, of Ocean City, Maryland. As the National Alliance for Youth Sports Global Gear Drive Coordinator for the Certified Youth Sports Administration Alumni Association, it was my goal that our area schools become the 1st in the nation to provide quality sports equipment to children in need and raise funds at the same time. The Global Gear Drive was created in memory of Sammy Wilkinson, an Ocean City, Maryland boy who tragically lost his life at Northside Park. The Sammy Wilkinson Memorial World Fund (SWMWF) was created as part of the National Alliance For Youth Sports' worldwide initiative to lend a hand to countries around the world that are unable to provide quality sports programs for children. Through the Sammy Wilkinson Memorial World Fund, you can make a tremendous difference in the life of a child and introduce them to a fun-filled world of sports. Our local schools have played an important role in helping with our goal. Your donation will open the door to a lifetime of wonderful memories for these children and create much-needed opportunities for them to learn and grow through sports.

Area Ocean City schools who recently participated in the Global Gear Drive were:

Stephen Decatur High School - Teacher - Laurie Chetelat

Stephen Decatur Middle School - Teacher - James O'Halloran

Berlin Intermediate School - Teacher - Susan Johnson

Showell Elementary School - Teacher - Becky Johnson

Ocean City Elementary School - Teacher - Tracey Drocella

Most Blessed Sacrament – Teacher – Kim Allison

Individual students not only brought in new and used equipment, but so did high school teams and recreational teams. In addition, Several schools have already held a very successful fundraiser by collecting signatures on a Game On! Soccer Ball. Some schools wore their favorite sports jerseys while others were allowed to dress casually and not have to wear their school uniforms during the Global Gear Drive. This effort was the first in the nation. The signed soccer ball, along with the equipment collected will be shipped together. The funds raised from the soccer ball signing will be used to help ship the equipment.

As a member of the NAYS Board of Directors, and the National Coordinator for the Certified Youth Sports Administrators (CYSA) Global Gear Drive, I look forward to working with you in the future. Thank you for making such a difference and becoming a partner with the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Global Gear Drive effort. For more information, visit www.nays.org. If you have questions, please call 410-520-5168 or email me at ahandy@ococean.com.

11/20/2009

Children International partners with Game On!

It’s “Game On!” for Children International and the International Alliance For Youth Sports (IAYS) as they announce a partnership that brings organized sports leagues to poor children and teens around the world!

For Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization which helps more than 325,000 poor children, 135,000 of those being teens between ages12-19, the partnership supports community development in poverty-stricken areas. IAYS teaches a program to volunteers called Game On! Youth Sports that encourages fun, participation and positive competition, while integrating life skills into its lessons.

“Millions of children in the U.S. benefit physically and socially from playing sports, but for millions of children around the world this simply isn’t the case,” said IAYS Founder Fred Engh. “Children International, working hand in hand with IAYS, is bringing organized sports to children throughout their agencies worldwide to show the world that sports aren’t simply throwing or kicking a ball, but more so, the opportunity to teach life skills that can enhance the lives of children everywhere.”

Game On! has been widely popular around the world since its inception. Highly successful programs have been held throughout Africa, India, Central America and the Caribbean, which have impacted thousands of children.

After launching a children’s soccer league in Mexico and with new leagues in Colombia expected by early 2010, Game On! Youth Sports encourages participation from parents, teachers, teens and volunteers wishing to coach teams and organize games. By providing volunteer training, IAYS teaches parents and volunteers interpersonal communication skills which improve their relationships with children in their community. Training also enables teens to co-captain many younger teams. The sense of pride parents and volunteers receive from overseeing teams and leagues often provides them with self-esteem and better leadership tools.

Game On! Youth Sports appeals to populations of underserved, impoverished teens who are at-risk of dropping out of school and taking part in risky behaviors, such as gangs, early pregnancy, drug abuse or crime. Through the program, teens are encouraged to participate in leagues where they learn skills like making a life plan, decision-making, resisting peer pressure and conflict resolution, motivating them to stay in school.

Children International’s President and CEO Jim Cook said, “Children International is excited to work with IAYS on real community development at the grassroots level. Using sports as a medium to teach parents and children new skills will improve their lives and help remove the stigma poverty places on their lives.”

09/15/2009

Wenham’s Frankie Bucco stages Global Gear Drive for athletes in need

02/07/2009

FreightCenter named sponsor of Global Gear Drive

The National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) is pleased to announce that FreightCenter, one of the largest internet-based freight logistics companies, has joined its efforts to provide sports equipment to children in need worldwide through its Global Gear Drive.

As the newly named sponsor of the Global Gear Drive, FreightCenter is providing significant discounts to parks and recreation departments, sports agencies, schools and individuals interested in shipping new and used sports equipment to NAYS headquarters for distribution to children around the world.

“We are truly proud to be working with the Global Gear Drive,” said Matthew Brosious, CEO and president of FreightCenter. “To be a part of this wonderful charitable venture of providing sports equipment to children in need around the world is truly rewarding, and we are looking forward to doing our part to make a difference in thousands of young lives.”

© 2009 Sammy Wilkinson Memorial Foundation. All rights reserved.