In total massachusetts, the school budgets are broken, and one of the first things that will always go to the own thing that keeps children connected, confidently, and hopes. In communities that have difficulty keeping basic needs, we look at opportunities for children to play, compete, and lose exactly the moment they need it. It’s not just unreasonable. It’s a crisis. And this one we cannot ignore.
It’s sad. Because we know how important sports are to grow a young person.
In rich suburbs, families are equal together, pass, and invest in programs to make sure their children play. But in many Massachusetts’ cities in the gate, not an option. These communities make everything they can to cover the bases. The fund for sports, especially at the middle school level, often without existence.
And however, at this stage, ages 11 to 14, if the children need to be the most.
Research is higher: the middle school playing sports are more likely to improve. They have experienced lower rates of obesity, anxiety, and depression. They are less able to engage in dangerous behavior. They gain confidence, stressfulness, and a sense of belonging. Sports don’t just stay with kids actively – they help them find their place in the world. Every child is worth the moment.
This is a significant mission to be given the middle of schools in the necessary communities in the same access to sports enjoying their peers in peer districts. The middle school is a significant opportunity to grow in childhood. It is an important time to take a child’s attention and make sure they feel safe, supported and cared for. Giving sports, with reliable mentors, coaches and teammates, as well as competitive competitions, go for a long way to improve that development.
We have to work together to get the obstacles that constantly prevent children from playing in the field, just because they live or what their family can do.
Today, play ball serves over 5,000 middle school students across eight school districts in Gateway Cities: Boston, Lawrence, Holyoke, New Bedford, Lynn, Salem, Methuen, and Chelsea. Many small towns can easily enjoy the same support.
These programs are not just “good to have.” They change life. For many young free-school sports in the middle of the school their first time to be part of a team, which can be coached and served, see and believe themselves.
The middle middle one point. This is when children start questioning where they fit. This is if they need to feel connected – something greater than themselves. Give the sports. They offer structure, encouragement, challenge, and happiness.
And they teach the skills that last a life: leadership and accountability, collaboration, communication and communication and problem resolution; empathy, respect, and depression.
In the wider range of communities, families spend thousands of dollars each year with club teams and private leagues. But in gate towns, those kinds of opportunities will never be reached. Without public school sports schools, many students do not have access to everyone.
That is not acceptable.
It is important to level the plains to play and build programs that do not only fill in the gaps, but life can be changed. This is the Smart Policy to invest in children at exactly the moment they need support, guidance, and trust. With the right investment, each child can progress regardless of their zip code.
As the cities face the increase in costs and hard decisions of the fiscal, we should not turn away from children who need us very much. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that all children, not only some, have a chance to run, play, compete, and grow.
Each child deserves to wear a team jersey. To score a goal. Up to the top five of their coaches. To be proud of who they are and who they have done.
That’s the power of sports.
And so we need to keep up to date until every half school in every community gets a chance to play.
Katie Small Executive Director of Play Ball Foundation
