~ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has taken a significant step towards promoting high-quality sports programming for the city's youth by signing onto the Children's Bill of Rights in Sports. The signing took place at a gathering of youth sports providers at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, where the Mayor affirmed the City's commitment to prioritizing the needs of young athletes, investing in qualified coaches, and ensuring safe and healthy sports environments for all.

As part of this commitment, the City also announced the award of $300,000 in grant funding to volunteer-led youth sports organizations that offer engaging and high-quality athletics programs for children aged 8-18. This initiative, known as Let's Play Boston, aims to increase the variety of youth sports programming in the city and provide a positive outlet for children when they are not in school. It aligns with Mayor Wu's Connect, Learn, Explore program, which focuses on empowering Boston's youth to explore their passions.

Mayor Wu expressed her gratitude to partners who have made these opportunities available, stating that "a huge part of keeping Boston's families healthy and happy is ensuring that every kid has access to youth sports in their communities."

The Children's Bill of Rights in Sports is a policy statement developed by the Aspen Institute through its Project Play Initiative. It outlines eight principles that define high-quality sports programming, including safe and healthy environments and qualified program leaders. With Boston now joining over 200 national sport organizations, community recreation groups, grant makers, and municipalities in adopting this policy statement, it becomes the fifth city to do so and the third 2026 World Cup host city.

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Chief of Human Services José F. Massó also expressed his excitement about affirming Boston's commitment to providing high-quality sports for all its youth. He shared his personal experience growing up playing basketball and participating in swim teams at BCYF community centers, stating that he knows firsthand how youth sports can shape future leaders.

The Let's Play Boston grant has been awarded to 55 community-based athletics programs from across the city. These grants offer direct support to youth sports programs and can be used to reduce participation fees, purchase new equipment and uniforms, and cover overhead costs related to securing fields or facilities. The grantees include programs that offer opportunities to participate in over twenty different sports disciplines, ranging from popular sports like basketball, baseball, and football to lesser-known ones like fencing, cricket, circus arts, and frisbee.

One of the grant recipients is No Books No Ball, a program that has been dedicated to shaping not only skilled athletes but also well-rounded individuals for 33 years. Founder Tony Richards Sr. expressed his gratitude for the support from the Let's Play Boston Community Sports grant, stating that it will allow them to continue providing access and resources that reinforce the value of education, sportsmanship, and resilience. He also shared that they are honored to serve over 1,000 youth and families each year and guide them towards brighter futures on and off the court.

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In addition to announcing the grant recipients, today's event also highlighted other initiatives aimed at promoting youth sports in Boston. This includes an interactive map of the city's youth sports facilities now available on the Let's Play Boston website. This map can be used by planners and developers to identify areas where more facilities are needed as well as by sports leagues looking for spaces to host league or tournament play. The City also previewed a no-cost coach training program set to launch in 2025 with the aim of improving coach skills.

Mayor Wu's Connect, Learn Explore initiative also includes the recently launched Boston Youth Sports Hub website. This one-stop website offers a directory of neighborhood sports leagues for families, links to city-run programs, and stories of athletic achievements by Boston youth teams. Along with providing grant support to youth sports providers, this initiative aims to increase participation among historically underrepresented youth, improve the quality of coaching, and enhance the variety and quality of sports offered by city departments.

With these efforts, Mayor Wu and the City of Boston are committed to ensuring that every child has access to high-quality sports programming, empowering them to explore their passions and reach their full potential.

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