Coalition News /Press

#Unite2PLAY

In May 2020, PLAYS researched, created, and released a Return To Play Guidelines document to aid, inform, and support organizations about best practices during and post COVID.

In May 2020, PLAYS led the introduction of the COVID-19 Youth Sports and Working Families Relief Act to Congress. The legislation, which directly addressed the Coalition's mission to ensure institutions connected to youth and local sports thrive through the pandemic, received nearly 40 bi-partisan Congressional co-sponsors.

In October 2020, PLAYS was named an Aspen Institute Project Play Champion for its unified commitment to advocate for and mobilize youth sports organizations operating in underserved communities.

In March 2021, PLAYS leadership & grassroots members effectively advocated for an allocation of tax revenue for youth sports nonprofits from mobile sports betting in New York State. Starting in 2022, a grant program will be formed from 1% of this tax revenue, with $5M per fiscal year thereafter allocated directly to the program.

In 2022, legalized sports betting legislation in multiple states, including Ohio, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, was amended to include youth sports funding allocations. Bills are in varying stages of the legislative process for passage with PLAYS building on its advocacy momentum for this critical funding for youth sports non-profits.

In August 2022, the PLAYS for Youth Sports Act was introduced by Congressman Colin Allred. It would create a $75 million annual grant program to support nonprofit organizations working to improve health and positive youth development through sports participation.

Coalition Press Coverage