Sport for Good Atlanta invites youth to try new activities at the 2023 Day of Sport

On Monday, November 6, Laureus USA’s Sport for Good Atlanta coalition held its Day of Sport event, sponsored in part by Nickelodeon. This flagship event brought together local partners, youth, and families for a day of fun, play, and learning. Gathering at the Salvation Army Bellwood Boys & Girls Club, over 100 young people experienced partner-led activities that allowed them to try new sports, all while celebrating the power of sport to positively impact the lives of youth and strengthen communities. Special guest Chris Miles from NBA TV spoke at the event.

The Atlanta Hawks crew ran young people through basketball drills, designed to improve their reaction times, coordination, and develop their listening skills. Coaches also led the students through stretching and warmups, helped facilitate a final reflection, and provided swag bags for all youth in attendance.

Our grantee partner, Bearings Bike Works, challenged young people to think about biking in a new way – with an obstacle course designed to mimic the conditions found on a mountain biking trail! Founder and Executive Director Tim O’Mara commented, “A lot of young people are used to riding in the streets, but this takes riding to another level.” 

We invited Girls on the Run Atlanta to run students through their innovative approach to programming – with young people getting to participate in a light running activity to move their bodies before diving into mindfulness/reflection work. Students learned that the mind is a lot like the body, in that they can work to develop routines and healthy habits to support its’ growth and happiness.

Coaches from First Tee – Metro Atlanta ran students through a golfing activity, introducing many to a sport that can often feel out of reach. Physically, the activity was designed to have young people work on their grip and coordination skills – and mentally, prepared them to exhibit patience under pressure.

The group came together for a closing reflection, on which TV host Chris Miles shared his thoughts on young athletes’ growth over the day’s activities, “the fact that they all seemed to be exposed to something that felt new and fun, that was the biggest takeaway, because something new can sometimes feel daunting, but they loved it.”

We’re excited to bring this event back to the Atlanta community in 2024!

Videography by Framed in Creative Media

Photography by Inspire to Elevate Media