Sports Buddies

What a great experience for the kids Sports Buddies Upcoming Schedule How to Become a Sports Buddy Streetplay Discussion Passing it On

Sports Buddies Sports and good times. The two go hand and hand. Whether it's going to the ball park to root for a team or playing a game of stickball in the street. What makes it even better is when you pass on some of the fun and lessons to a child eager to learn. That's what Sports Buddies is all about. Sports Buddies is new, but it comes out of a proud tradition, the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. For many of us, that's a familiar name, with a solid reputation of providing children from single family homes with a healthy mentoring arrangement. The Big Sisters program offers girls an opportunity to develop a positive relationship with a female adult. Big Brothers, the larger program provides a way for boys from 7-17 and living with their moms or other relatives, to connect with an adult male and get a positive role model. Steve Becker, works for the Catholic Big Brothers in NYC. He heard about Sports Buddies a program that had started in Seattle and realized something like it could be a great success in NYC. "The idea is to focus the mentoring relationship around a shared love of sports," said Becker. "All the local professional sports teams are being very supportive and the mentors and the kids will attend some great events. Kids love sports and there are a lot of adults who might be interested in committing themselves once a week for a year, to see a young child, and share a sports experience." So far, the kids have visited both Yankee and Shea Stadiums for games and exciting tours. They're now set to visit the football training camps. Becker stressed that while participants will have wonderful sporting event opportunities there is more to the program. An ideal activity would be for the adult to teach a youngster how to play baseball, football, stickball, handball or the other ball games mentioned on the site. Becker's stressed, "Our goal is to encourage positive interactions and make sure it is a fun and learning experience for all. If that's your approach, you're guaranteed success." Sports Buddies has just begun and they are looking for adults. Are you interested in being part of this program? Contact us!