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February 3, 2023
In all its forms, sports and play can make people feel safe, part of and connected, especially kids. Participation can instill community and bring people together to help forge a sense of belonging. However, according to research, only 47% of Hispanic parents and 42% of African American parents anticipate their child resuming sports at the same or higher level than pre-pandemic. Black and Brown kids also have less access to safe, affordable play spaces that don’t require transportation. (Aspen Institute Project Play, 2021)
In response to the substantial disparities which were exacerbated by the pandemic, Beyond Sport, and leading multimedia sports entertainment brand, ESPN, co-founded the Return to Play Fund (RTPF) in 2021 to use sport to promote youth mental and physical wellbeing, address racial inequities and increase access to safe facilities for recreation.
Guided by an Expert Advisory Council encompassing specialists in public health and trauma-informed responses, diversity, equity and inclusion and youth sports programming, the collaborative Fund supports nonprofit community sport organizations that are not only dedicated to getting young people of color moving again but also in providing them with guidance and opportunities to grow, succeed and be confident in their abilities.
To engage the public in the effort, particularly amid a decline in sports and play in communities of color, ESPN released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) earlier this week that calls for equal access for all kids to the resources they need to play sports — especially in underserved communities. Featuring SportsCenter anchor, Jay Harris, and youth from a Bronx, New York Boys & Girls Club, the spot aired across ESPN’s TV and digital platforms with an audio version running on Sirius XM Radio.
“At ESPN, we’re committed to continuing our support of communities of color to gain greater access to youth sports especially since sports and play provision for Black and Brown communities has always been inadequate and have become even more vulnerable following the coronavirus pandemic,” said Vice President of ESPN Corporate Citizenship, Kevin Martinez. “In addition to providing critical resources through the Return to Play Fund, we’re proud to use our media platforms to support this new PSA to bring greater awareness to this important issue.”
The PSA directs the audience to the RTPF campaign site, where digital resources for parents and guardians, young people, coaches and youth sports providers are available – in English and Spanish – to help navigate a healthy and equitable return to play. Beyond Sport compiled the resources from the Fund’s Expert Advisory Council members and other trusted sources to support active youth, diversity and inclusion, health and well-being and knowledge-building.
“The Return to Play Fund was created to address the needs of youth across the US at the intersection of race, sport and community development, targeting the systemic structures and behaviors that marginalize Black and Brown communities,” said Executive Director of Beyond Sport Fred Turner. Sport has the unique ability to bridge divides, teach and provide a safe space to work through adversity. Beyond Sport and our partners are proud to offer resources to help navigate a healthy and equitable return to play and thank ESPN for providing its powerful platform to expand the reach.”
The Return to Play Fund is supported by Founding Partners Beyond Sport and ESPN, Funding Partner The Pincus Family Foundation and Media Sponsor SiriusXM. To date, ESPN and The Pincus Family Foundation have invested $1.5 million across the three RTPF pillars of capacity building, infrastructure and advocacy.
Click here to access RTPF resources in English and Spanish. Learn more about how you can support the Fund here.
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