Coronavirus

How park and recreation agencies can empower coaches in the return to play

When local conditions allow for a safe return to play, we must prioritize kids’ gradual return to physical activity during and after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic — which requires knowledgeable coaches focused on health and safety as kids resume youth sports.

What will youth sports restrictions look like in 2021?

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, many parents are trying to navigate on their own what this means for their child playing sports. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

Should kids play indoor sports now, and if so, how?

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, many parents are trying to navigate on their own what this means for their child playing sports. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

Kids and masks: What’s the latest guidance when playing sports?

As many states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

Women’s roller derby offers plan for how youth sports can return

As many states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

Why can’t the U.S. agree about youth sports during COVID-19?

As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

What should parents do if their child's team ignores local COVID-19 rules?

As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

Should parents sign COVID-19 waivers for youth sports?

As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

Can COVID-19 impact young athletes’ hearts long term?

As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

How safe and effective are face shields for youth sports?

As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

#DontRetireKidOneYearLater

One year ago next week, 9-year-old Derek Heyswiver (an anagram for Kids Everywhere) retired from sports, announcing as much at a packed press conference that included journalists, his parents and coaches.

Kobe Bryant announced the news with a tweet, followed by an in-studio appearance on SportsCenter as ESPN launched the PSA campaign on all networks. Clayton Kershaw, Albert Pujols, Cody Bellinger, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Blake Griffin, Swin Cash, Cassius Winston and other stars chimed in on social media, most of them encouraging Heyswiver to unretire. In the first week alone, the campaign to address the problem of early attrition in youth sports generated 167 million impressions. Nearly every major national TV news network ran pieces on the campaign, as did many online outlets.