Laureus USA, Gatorade, and Dove Host “Big Game, Bigger Impact” Youth Event in New Orleans East

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 04: Students participate during a one-of-a-kind “Big Game, Bigger Impact” football experience hosted by Laureus USA, Gatorade, and Dove for New Orleans youth to shine a light on the power of sport on February 04, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images for Laureus USA)

Laureus USA, Gatorade, and Dove Host “Big Game, Bigger Impact” Youth Event in New Orleans East

New Orleans, LA – February 2025

To kick off Super Bowl week, the vibrant community of New Orleans East became the focal point of a unique youth empowerment event, “Big Game, Bigger Impact,” hosted by Laureus USA, Gatorade, and Dove. The event, which took place at Fannie C. Williams Charter school, brought together young people, community leaders, and legends of the game to illustrate the profound impact of sport on young people.

Event Highlights

The “Big Game, Bigger Impact” event featured interactive football drills and activities, as well as inspiring guests from the world of sports, designed to engage and empower the youth of New Orleans East. The event’s activities reinforced the importance of resilience, teamwork, and self-esteem.

Engaging Activities

• Football Drills: Youth took the field to learn from professional athletes and local coaches, where activities included speed and strength circuits, wide receiver practice, and a QB toss.
• Body Confident Sport: Dove presented their latest effort to engage with young athletes – the Body Confident Sport project. Through this unique curriculum, they hope to build body confidence for millions of girls, give them the tools to navigate challenges, and make sport a place where they feel like they belong.
• Makers Station: Provided by ProFab, students got the chance to engage with various technology, including a 3D printer!
• Meeting Legends: Students had the opportunity to engage with a number of players and leaders in the football space, including retired NFL player Eric Reid, current Tennessee Titans and Louisiana native Tyjae Spears, the first female NFL coach Dr. Jen Welter, the first Black female NFL coach Collette V. Smith, and founder of the Women’s National Football Conference Odessa Jenkins.

Inspiring Speakers

The event featured a lineup of legendary speakers, including accomplished athletes and community advocates, who shared insights on the power of sports to change lives. Their messages focused on using sports as a tool for personal growth and community development.

Community Involvement

Local partners Excite All-Stars and Reaching for the Stars were an integral part of the event – both New Orleans based organizations provide year-round programming that is designed to enrich the lives of young people.

A Collaborative Effort

Laureus USA, Gatorade, and Dove collaborated to bring this impactful event to life. Each organization contributed its unique strengths to ensure a memorable experience for all participants.

• Laureus USA: Known for their dedication to using sports as a means for social change, Laureus USA provided strategic guidance and resources to maximize the event’s impact.
• Gatorade: As a leader in sports nutrition, Gatorade offered hydration solutions and educational materials on the importance of nutrition in athletic performance. At the Gatorade station, young people got to experience the effects of poor hydration through a pair of “dehydration goggles” that mimicked the body’s impaired sense of sight under dehydration. Each young person took home Gatorade’s athlete kits, which included limited edition Super Bowl branded towels.
• Dove: Committed to building positive self-esteem, Dove facilitated workshops that focused on self-confidence and body positivity, highlighting the importance of mental health alongside physical well-being. They also provided hygiene products and sports bras for students to take home.
• NFLPA: The NFL Players’ Association provided swag and autographed items from NFL players for the event.

Looking Ahead

The “Big Game, Bigger Impact” event serves as a reminder that Laureus USA has been part of ongoing efforts to support youth development in New Orleans. Laureus USA’s Sport for Good New Orleans initiative, founded in 2014, has grown into a cross-sector collaborative of over 30 diverse partners who are dedicated to providing high-quality, youth-centered sport experiences for young people in New Orleans. SfG New Orleans’ vision is that the city becomes a place of endless opportunities for youth to participate and lead in sport, encouraging a healthier, more collaborative, and vibrant New Orleans.

Thank You

We want to express our gratitude to all participants, volunteers, and partners who made this event possible. Together, they have set the foundation for a brighter future, empowering the youth of New Orleans to reach their full potential.