A group of young athletes in blue basketball jerseys that say USA with their hands in the air

LA28 INVESTS $9.6M IN KIDS SPORTS FOR UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR

LA28 INVESTS $9.6M IN KIDS SPORTS FOR UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR

The LA28 Games are leading the charge to get local kids back to sports and fitness as part of largest single commitment to youth sports in California.

As part of LA28’s $160 million commitment to make sports more accessible to kids ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, LA28 is issuing a grant of $9.6 million for youth sports across LA for the 2021-22 school year. LA’s Department of Recreation and Parks will use the grant to subsidize participation fees for leagues, classes and clinics ranging from tennis and golf to basketball and soccer to judo and teqball for kids ages 18 and under.

“There’s never been a more important time to get kids back to sports,” said LA28 Chief Athlete Officer and five-time Olympic medalist Janet Evans. “After an incredibly trying 15 months, it’s time to get out there and play. Fitness and competition give kids opportunities to connect with friends and improve their physical and mental health. We couldn’t be more excited to get kids back on the field and in the gym experiencing the joy of sport.”

The grant is dedicated to support quality sport programming in well-maintained, secure environments with trained coaches at more than 123 recreation centers and sport facilities across Los Angeles through the Spring 2022 season, emphasizing support in areas that serve low-income neighborhoods as the community moves forward from the COVID-19 pandemic.

All programs and activities will follow Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidance.