Kids across Los Angeles will have more chances to play sports thanks to a new initiative by the City, LA Parks and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
PlayLA, which kicked off Saturday, November 6 with a variety of sports clinics at Algin Sutton Recreation Center, will provide affordable and accessible sports programming to kids of all abilities throughout Los Angeles.
Funded by the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the International Olympic Committee, PlayLA is made possible because of LA28’s $160 million commitment sports for kids in Los Angeles ahead of 2028. This is the single largest commitment to youth sport development in California.
“We seized an unprecedented opportunity during our bid for the Games to bring an historic community investment to Los Angeles, and the best part is we don’t have to wait until 2028 to see the benefits,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “We’re delivering affordable access to youth sports programs across our city right now – and we know how transformative that opportunity can be, especially for low-income families. I am grateful to LA28, the IOC and all of the partners that have helped make this incredible program possible, and I can’t wait to get out there and see our young athletes in action.”
Paralympians Jamal Hill and Ezra Frech joined the celebration alongside Olympians Karsta Lowe and Octavio Alesi playing basketball, field hockey, soccer, adaptive skateboarding, adaptive tennis, goalball and many more sports with kids from across Los Angeles.
“The LA28 Games are so much more than a sports event,” said LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman. “The Games are a platform for positive impact. We know we will deliver an incredible Games for athletes and fans across Los Angeles and around the world, but if all we do is host an amazing event, we will have missed our greatest chance. Providing kids opportunities to be part of sport so they can realize their potential is just one of the many ways the Games can leave a lasting legacy for Los Angeles.”
PlayLA will ensure every kid in LA has an opportunity to participate in low cost or no cost quality sports programming in their neighborhood.
“Access to sports at a young age made me who I am,” said LA28 Chief Athlete Officer and five-time Olympic medalist Janet Evans. “Sports are so important for our individual and collective physical and mental health. It doesn’t matter whether you’re competing for a gold medal or playing with your best friends - sport teaches us lessons we carry with us for life. And that should be available to everyone.”
The City of LA launched PlayLA with an initial $9.6 million grant from the LA28 Games to the LA Parks Department to subsidize participation fees throughout the school year for leagues, classes, and clinics for sports including tennis, golf, basketball, soccer, judo and aquatics.
Registration for PlayLA is available online. Cost of participation is $10 per person with fee waivers available for eligible families. All programs follow public health guidance.
For more information or to register, visit LAParks.org/Play-LA.
