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RETURN TO PLAY FUND

Founded by Beyond Sport & ESPN

Promoting Equitable Access to Play for Black & Brown Youth

We know sport helps build community, instills a sense of belonging and teaches crucial social and emotional skills for young people. When sports and play are tailored to youth needs, they can provide a safe space that gives them a sense of connection.

Black and Brown communities are grappling with significant hurdles, limiting opportunities for their younger members. Systemic barriers such as high participation fees, underfunded schools, lack of diverse coaches and inadequate facilities and equipment further marginalize low-income and communities of color, putting kids on the sidelines.

Ensuring youth have options that both get them into and keep them in sports is crucial for them to continue receiving the invaluable benefits from sport.

 

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RECONNECT THROUGH SPORTS

In 2021, Beyond Sport and ESPN created the Return to Play Fund (RTPF) to address disparities in support and access for Black and Brown communities coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The RTPF facilitates essential tools and resources to build skills and capacity and provide safe recreation spaces. It also advocates for systemic change to ensure equitable opportunities to play, particularly in school and park environments.

The Fund leverages sport, collaboration and investment to champion youth and combat racial inequities in the immediate and long-term. Supporting its development was an Expert Advisory Council specializing in youth sports, public health, trauma-informed responses, diversity, equity, inclusion and public health.

Return To Play

THE PROBLEM

Sport and play opportunities for Black and Brown communities have long been insufficient. Now more than ever, these activities are crucial for child development. And yet:

BIPOC youth are playing sports at a significantly lower rate than wealthier, white youth  [Project Play, 2023]

44% of families reported their community-based program closed, merged or returned with limited capacity [Project Play, 2021]

Black and Brown kids have less access to safe, affordable play spaces that don’t require transportation [Project Play, 2021]

Children are participating in team sports less frequently, resulting in 1.2 million fewer youth consistently engaging in team sports [Project Play, 2022]

Lower-income kids are 6x more likely to quit youth sports than their more well-off peers [Aspen Institute, 2020]

HOW IT WORKS

The Return to Play Fund addresses the current and future needs to create equitable opportunities for play and sports across education, health and community landscapes.

Our grants support sport-based youth development organizations that are getting young people of color moving again as well as making sure they get guidance and opportunities to grow, succeed and be confident in their abilities.

With our partners, the RTPF supports community groups and revitalizes spaces in Black and Brown communities into accessible and enjoyable places for youth and their families to play while also supporting research and efforts to ensure play equity.

The Return to Play Fund is supported by Founding Partners Beyond Sport and ESPN, Funding Partners The Pincus Family Foundation and TeamSnap and Media Sponsor SiriusXM.

For information on supporting the Return to Play Fund, contact [email protected].