Powering play
and better days.

We need free play now more than ever before. To build hope, to brighten days—to bring us together as a team. The rules may have changed, but the game remains. Learn how Project Play is helping kids and families stay active and engaged through the current health crisis.

Ask kids what they want.

Nine out of ten kids say “fun” is the main reason they want to play sports. So, there’s really only one question: “What sounds like fun?”

Reintroduce Free Play

Children who spend more time in less structured activities are generally better equipped to set their own goals and take action on them. Those children also display higher levels of academic creativity as college students.

Encourage More Sport Sampling

By providing more athletic opportunities to children, we can increase the probability they will find a sport they enjoy. That improves the chances they will continue to play sports throughout their lives.

Revitalize In-Town Leagues

Travel teams often add complexity and cost to sports. That doesn’t translate to success or satisfaction for the children who participate in them. The answer? In-town leagues.

Think Small

Huge mega-sports complexes are popular in suburbia, but quality play spaces can also be simple and cost-effective. One solution is developing modest, easier-to-find spaces into mini-fields for as little as $15,000 versus full-sized turf fields that can cost as much as $1 million.

Design For Development

Kids deserve experiences that recognize and build on their mental, emotional, and physical stages of development, such as games and drills with small teams that lead to more individual chances to develop key skills as they develop in their bodies.

Train All Coaches

A coach can nurture or destroy a child’s love for sports. In one study, 5% of kids with trained coaches quit the next year versus 26% for untrained coaches.

All coaches need training in:

  • Coaching philosophy for kids
  • Physical literacy and sport skills
  • Basic safety

Emphasize Prevention

Nine out of ten parents have safety concerns, especially regarding concussions. Youth sports should produce positive health outcomes. Therefore, policies and rule changes that eliminate or greatly reduce head contact for kids 12 and under should be introduced.

Help us brighten futures
and bring the fun.

Together, we can give kids throughout Southeast Michigan the resources they need to live active, fulfilling lives. And with dedicated resources for families, coaches, and youth sports organizations, you’ll have the tools you need to help.

Families

Check out resources, opportunities, and events specific to helping your child get the most out of playing and physical activity.

Coaches

Take your coaching to the next level with practical resources specific to the many facets of coaching youth sports.

Youth Sports Organizations

Discover how you can positively impact youths and maximize opportunities for play throughout your organization.

Are you game?

Get the latest on how to support, advocate, and participate in Project Play: Southeast Michigan.