EVENT SUMMARY
The spirit of youth sports are under attack and the COVID 19 pandemic has only exacerbated the situation, especially for our youth and families who have been systemically sidelined. Youth of color, girls, and other historically marginalized youth tend to be excluded from the systems and spaces where play happens, i.e organized sports. Join us on May 21st where Rainier Athletes, a local non-profit whose mission centers around creating equitable opportunities for youth, is hosting a conversation surrounding the current state of youth sports. In partnership with a panel of sports experts, including Everett Fizhugh, “The Voice of The Seattle Kraken,”the Rainier Athletes virtual town hall aims to ignite a renewed sense of urgency, accountability and commitment when it comes to rebuilding a youth sports sector that recognizes play and movement as an essential human right!
THE WHY
The spirit of youth sports is under attack and the COVID 19 pandemic only intensified the inequities that we already knew existed. While many pay to play programs were able to keep going through the pandemic, low cost community and school based sports shut down leaving the majority of kids without access to the organized sports and teams they love. On the other side of covid, it's essential that we prioritize the needs of those kids who have been systemically sidelined from sport and focus on providing them opportunities to play.
We know through decades of research that youth physical activity is a predictor of long-term health and wellbeing. The benefits of movement for youth have proven to facilitate healing, promote resiliency and mitigate the effects of trauma. On the other hand, gaps in access to exercise at young ages become significant community health equity gaps in the future. During this time of increased stress in communities that are disproportionately impacted by the health and economic consequences of Covid-19, the ability to move and play has become even more essential for physical and mental wellbeing.
Youth sports has grown into a booming $19 billion business, dominated by competitive travel teams and tournaments. This high cost model of play has left many kids on the sidelines. In fact, we know from our friends at the King County Play Equity Coalition, that youth in our region are not moving nearly enough: pre-pandemic, only 19% of youth in King County were meeting the CDC’s recommended 60 minutes a day of physical activity. Youth of color, youth from lower income families, girls, youth with disabilities, and immigrant youth are even less likely to participate in physical activity and tend to be excluded from the systems and spaces where play happens, i.e organized sports. Youth who do not speak English at home are almost three times more likely to have never participated in organized sports or recreation than children who speak English at home.
The Event
On May 21st, Rainier Athletes, a local non-profit whose mission centers around creating equitable opportunities for youth, is hosting a conversation surrounding the current state of youth sports. In partnership with a panel of sports experts, including Everett Fitzhugh, “The Voice of The Seattle Kraken,” the Rainier Athletes virtual town hall will aim to ignite a renewed sense of urgency, accountability and commitment when it comes to reimagining the youth sports and physical activity sectors. Because this conversation requires your undivided attention, Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi will ensure your blood sugar remains at optimal levels by offering their award winning dessert to those who register, The Mini Magic Mushroom: chocolate pot de creme with matcha and espresso crumbles, honey meringue dots and a cherry cremeaux and white chocolate mushroom.
The cost to register for the conversation is $30, all of which goes towards furthering the mission of Rainier Athletes and driving home the belief that all kids deserve the opportunity to play.
Wait, there’s MorE!
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Hover/Click On the panelists’ picture to read their impressive bios!
A 20-year sports broadcasting veteran, Jen Mueller currently serves as the Seattle Seahawks sideline radio reporter. She is also an Emmy-award winning producer and part of the Seattle Mariners television broadcast team on ROOT Sports
In addition to her work on the sidelines, Jen launched Talk Sporty to Me in 2009. She provides a unique twist on business communication based on her time in locker rooms and expertise in 1-on-1 conversations. Jen is the author of three books and recently launched an on-demand video series Asking Better Questions. Jen graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2000 with degrees in Broadcasting Journalism and Public Policy.
“It’s one thing to appreciate the elite talent of your favorite athlete, it’s another to think access to sports is only for elite groups. The growing disparity and inequity in youth sports is disheartening and disappointing. Every student regardless of race and family income level should have access to sports and the benefits being on a team brings”
Everett "Fitz" Fitzhugh is an American sportscaster and the play-by-play announcer for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League. Fitzhugh, upon his hiring by the Kraken, became the first full-time African American broadcaster in NHL history and is the only Black play-by-play announcer at any professional level of North American ice hockey.
Fitzhugh attended Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Bowling Green State University. He has been the play-by-play announcer for the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones and for the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League, and the play-by-play announcer and color commentator for the Bowling Green Falcons. Fitzhugh has also served as the Cyclones’ Director of Media Relations, and received the ECHL Award of Excellence for Media Relations in 2017, following the completion of his second year in the League. He was also on the crew for the 2018 ECHL All-Star Game on NHL Network. In 2018, he announced play-by-play for a Washington Capitals preseason game against the Boston Bruins.
“I hold youth sports near and dear to my heart! It laid down the foundation for who I am today. We need to figure out a way to ensure these kids have an environment where priority number 1 is having fun doing what they love vs worrying about social media attention and their rankings. It’s on us as parents and coaches to ensure we develop good values in our youth through sports rather than using this moment as a business opportunity.”