Destination Madison on LinkedIn: Youth Grant Winner Stories | Madison Area Sports Commission (2024)

As a mom deeply engaged with minor sports associations, I’ve come to realize the incredible power of collaboration and community in shaping our children’s experiences and growth. Our journey through youth sports has not just been about wins or losses; it’s been a profound lesson in the strength of unity and the importance of support networks.Building More Than AthletesIn the world of minor sports, the collaboration between parents, coaches, and organizations is fundamental. Together, we do more than just organize games; we build character, instill values, and encourage teamwork. This cooperative effort ensures that our children learn invaluable life skills such as leadership, perseverance, and sportsmanship, which are as crucial off the field as they are on it.The Role of Community SupportThe support of our community plays a pivotal role in the success of minor sports programs. From local businesses sponsoring teams to families hosting fundraising events, every contribution strengthens the fabric of our sports associations. This collective backing not only provides the necessary resources for our teams but also creates a nurturing environment where every child can thrive, regardless of their background or ability level.Success Through UnityThe victories we celebrate are not just those scored on the field but also the personal achievements of our young athletes. Watching a shy child emerge as a confident team player or an inexperienced player develop into a skilled athlete underscores the impact of our collaborative efforts. These successes remind us that when we come together, we can overcome challenges and create opportunities for all our children to succeed.A Call to Join ForcesI encourage all parents and community members to get involved with minor sports associations. Whether it’s volunteering your time, sharing your skills, or simply cheering from the sidelines, your participation makes a difference. By joining forces, we can ensure that our sports programs continue to be a powerful vehicle for positive development, community building, and lifelong memories.#minorsport #albertasport #communityengagement

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Leveraging Skills And Volunteerism To Promote Leadership Development In Youth Soccer https://buff.ly/42rFxZ7We all know that soccer is the world’s #1 sport. In Calgary, Alberta, where I live, soccer registrations are up 11% this year! This is amazing growth and reflects the sport's increasing popularity and the success of our Canadian teams internationally.As many of you know, my book, Those Who Would Be King: The People's Prince, attempts to deliver socio-political and economic informative advice, all in the form of a fast-paced thriller. My theory is that few people read deep, heavy treatises on these subjects, but the potential for an interesting, hopefully, best-selling novel to reach thousands of people is very real.For me, the best use of my spare time is captured by a single word: leverage. But how is this related to soccer?Coaching Youth SoccerI have been coaching my kids in soccer for years. Many parents have come to me over the years to thank me for coaching their kids, but many have also thanked me for broader, more meaningful contributions to the development of their children.One such note said, “Your continued commitment to soccer youth and your passion for the game of soccer inspires our boys to stand tall and to contribute to their communities. Thank you for sharing your amazing vision and leadership!”My team does its own fundraising. Yes, we hold bottle drives and raise money for custom jerseys, and to cover the expenses of players who can’t necessarily afford to pay to play. We teach kids the value of hard work, teamwork, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. My team works for each other, on and off the field. We encourage kids to develop their leadership skills.We try to help players grow into responsible adults and to develop confidence and poise that will serve them well as adults in later life. Click link to read more! ⚽️#soccer #youth #sports #leadership

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📣 Calling all youth sports advocates! 🏀⚽🎾As we approach the end of the year, let's take on a challenge together to make a lasting impact on the lives of young athletes. 💪Here's the challenge for 2024: 1️⃣ Reach out to a local school or community organization and offer your support. Whether it's volunteering your time, donating sports equipment, or organizing a fundraising event, every effort counts!2️⃣ Spread awareness about the importance of youth sports on your social media platforms. Share statistics, articles, or personal stories that showcase the benefits of athletic participation for children's physical, mental, and social development.3️⃣ Mentor a young athlete. Take the time to guide and motivate a young sports enthusiast in your community. Share your knowledge, offer advice, and be a positive role model for their journey.4️⃣ Advocate for equal access to sports opportunities for all children. Raise your voice and support initiatives that promote inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunities in youth sports. Let's ensure every child has the chance to experience the joy and benefits of sports.By accepting this challenge, we can make a difference in the lives of countless young athletes. Together, let's create a brighter future for youth sports! 🌟#YouthSportsAdvocate #EndOfYearChallenge #MakingADifference #youthsports

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The Women’s Sports Foundation advances the lives of women and girls in the United States through sports and physical activity. The Foundation’s Sports 4 Life program seeks to increase the participation and retention of girls of color in sports. Funded programs must serve predominantly Black, African American, Hispanic, and Native American girls (representing more than 70% of the enrolled program participants) and deliver structured, developmental sports programming to girls ages 11 to 18 through experienced and committed leadership. In general, applicants should be nonprofit schools, parks and recreation departments, nonprofit organizations, or amateur sports leagues. Funding can be used for coaching, curriculum, equipment, uniforms, transportation, facility rental, tournaments, and team-building activities.Call 516.410.4895, or email clolataylor@gmail.com for a free fee quote to have us write your entire proposal, or edit your draft, for a reasonable flat fee.https://lnkd.in/e_NqnrxHBev BrowningHolly Rustick

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Leveraging Skills And Volunteerism To Promote Leadership Development In Youth Soccer https://buff.ly/42rFxZ7 by Brent J. Ludwig, Author"We all know that soccer is the world’s #1 sport. In Calgary, Alberta, where I live, soccer registrations are up 11% this year! This is amazing growth and reflects the sport's increasing popularity and the success of our Canadian teams internationally.As many of you know, my book, Those Who Would Be King: The People's Prince, attempts to deliver socio-political and economic informative advice, all in the form of a fast-paced thriller. My theory is that few people read deep, heavy treatises on these subjects, but the potential for an interesting, hopefully, best-selling novel to reach thousands of people is very real.For me, the best use of my spare time is captured by a single word: leverage. But how is this related to soccer?Coaching Youth SoccerI have been coaching my kids in soccer for years. Many parents have come to me over the years to thank me for coaching their kids, but many have also thanked me for broader, more meaningful contributions to the development of their children.One such note said, “Your continued commitment to soccer youth and your passion for the game of soccer inspires our boys to stand tall and to contribute to their communities. Thank you for sharing your amazing vision and leadership!”My team does its own fundraising. Yes, we hold bottle drives and raise money for custom jerseys, and to cover the expenses of players who can’t necessarily afford to pay to play. We teach kids the value of hard work, teamwork, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. My team works for each other, on and off the field. We encourage kids to develop their leadership skills.We try to help players grow into responsible adults and to develop confidence and poise that will serve them well as adults in later life..." Click link to read more! ⚽️#soccer #youth #sports #leadership

Leveraging Skills And Volunteerism To Promote Leadership Development In Youth Soccer https://buff.ly/42rFxZ7 by Brent J. Ludwig, AuthorWe all know that soccer is the world’s #1 sport. In Calgary, Alberta, where I live, soccer registrations are up 11% this year! This is amazing growth and reflects the sport's increasing popularity and the success of our Canadian teams internationally.As many of you know, my book, Those Who Would Be King: The People's Prince, attempts to deliver socio-political and economic informative advice, all in the form of a fast-paced thriller. My theory is that few people read deep, heavy treatises on these subjects, but the potential for an interesting, hopefully, best-selling novel to reach thousands of people is very real.For me, the best use of my spare time is captured by a single word: leverage. But how is this related to soccer?Coaching Youth SoccerI have been coaching my kids in soccer for years. Many parents have come to me over the years to thank me for coaching their kids, but many have also thanked me for broader, more meaningful contributions to the development of their children.One such note said, “Your continued commitment to soccer youth and your passion for the game of soccer inspires our boys to stand tall and to contribute to their communities. Thank you for sharing your amazing vision and leadership!”My team does its own fundraising. Yes, we hold bottle drives and raise money for custom jerseys, and to cover the expenses of players who can’t necessarily afford to pay to play. We teach kids the value of hard work, teamwork, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. My team works for each other, on and off the field. We encourage kids to develop their leadership skills.We try to help players grow into responsible adults and to develop confidence and poise that will serve them well as adults in later life... Click link to read more! ⚽️#soccer #youth #sports #leadership

Another #TBT, this one from the recent Sports Philanthropy Summit #SPS2024 panel that I had the honor to moderate on thepower of partnership.Three takeaways from how D.C. United, Washington Spirit and DC SCORES partner together that I believe are lessons worth spreading:1. AUTHENTICITY WINS. It'snot about one-off photo opps, it's about long-term commitment and showing up in the community. Team leaders serving as org board members. Athletes being org ambassadors. Having regular calls with candid feedback and sharing of ideas on an ongoingbasis to help all ships rise.2. COPY THE BRIGHT SPOTS.I'm all for innovation but sometimes there's no need to reinvent the wheel if there is a bestpractice worth replicating. The Spirit modeled theirMOU with DC SCORES based on the successof theone DC United had done with them several years prior. There are so many bright spots out there that orgs could borrow from and apply to their own partnerships. 3. SOCIAL IMPACT IN SPORTS SPONSORSHIPS IS NOT JUST A TREND. Teams and sponsors - pay attention. Give community relations people a seat at the negotiating table. These ladies shared examples of incredible partnerships with sponsors like Carefirst and Pepco where driving social impact is a valuable piece of the puzzle in bringing partnerships to life. This is only going to continue to expand if the #sportsbiz pays attention to its fans and their communities. #partnerships #paneldiscussion #takeaways #sportforgood #socialimpact

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London: No More Red 2022Sports Marketing and Social Responsibility: Driving Positive Changes 🌍⚽💚Sports marketing goes far beyond competitions and victories. It has become a powerful tool for making a positive impact on society and promoting important social causes. In this realm, athletes and teams have come together for noble causes, using their influence and visibility to make a difference in the world.Through inspiring campaigns, we see athletes taking a stand on issues like inclusion, equality, sustainability, and education. Their voices resonate far beyond the field, reaching the hearts and minds of fans and admirers all around the globe.Sports teams have also played a crucial role in this transformational journey. They embrace social causes by partnering with charities and community initiatives. Their efforts extend beyond sports, aiming to leave a significant and positive legacy for future generations.Furthermore, we witness the power of sports marketing campaigns being used to raise awareness and funds for social projects. With a strong presence on social media and access to global audiences, these campaigns inspire millions of people to engage in humanitarian and environmental causes.#SportsMarketing #SocialResponsibility #PositiveImpact #SocialCauses #Inspiration #SocialTransformation #esporte

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🌟Global Initiative by Clubfunders: Making Sports Affordable and Accessible🌟The cost of youth sports is skyrocketing globally, creating significant barriers for families. From Australia to the U.S., the financial challenges of sports participation are evident. The Australian Sports Foundation's 2023 survey shows that about 20% of sports clubs are near financial collapse, indicating a high-cost burden for Australian families. In the U.S., families spend billions annually on youth sports, according to Project Play, with some families going to great lengths to keep their children involved, as reported by NBC News.These trends highlight the need for equitable access to sports, challenging the prevailing pay-to-play model that benefits the affluent, and widening the accessibility gap. At Clubfunders, we're driven by a mission to even the playing field, inspired by stories like Casey McLoughlin's and the broader community's call for change. We aim to make sports accessible to every child, believing financial constraints shouldn't hinder any young athlete.Join us in ensuring every child's right to play sports, contributing to a healthier, more inclusive future.🏆💪 #EvenThePlayingField #InclusiveYouthSports #ClubfundersMissionReferences and credits:ABC:https://lnkd.in/g4_9QCsPJessica Grose, "Opinion | Why So Many Kids Are Priced Out of Youth Sports," The New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024.NBC News, “Some Are Spending Hundreds or Thousands to Keep Their Kids in Youth Sports,” YouTube, 18 Sept. 2022.https://lnkd.in/g4_9QCsP