Sports stories worth sharing.

life story: choices

Gurnell, age 9

“First year ever playing sports and he found baseball to be his favorite one. Being a mom I never wanted to force him to do anything he didn’t want to do or just because other kids his age was playing sports so I let him decide whether he wanted to try or not. Basketball was the first choice didn’t work out for him, flag football was the second choice and even tho he liked it he wasn’t motivated to go every practice or game.

Then came baseball season and it was his first time ever holding a bat glove and ball. You seen the dedication in his eyes you seen the hard work he put in at practice. You seen the love he has for baseball everyday. The coach started him in left field and 5th on the line up for the first 5 games.

With the work he was putting in the games and practice g moved up to playing the position he wanted to learn and play which was 2nd base and let’s just say he was overly confident and excited he made it to where he wanted to be in the first year playing. Rain and all he played his heart out.”

– Gurnell’s mom, Leanna

life story: meeting confidence

Journi, age 12

“Journi has gained tremendous life skills through her involvement in dance and other sports. She began dancing at the age of 2, and it has become more than just a hobby—it’s helped shape her into a confident, disciplined, and compassionate young leader.

In 4th grade, Journi was placed on a behavior plan and given an IEP due to low self-esteem, but her commitment to dance and extracurricular activities has given her a strong sense of purpose, confidence, and belonging. Today, she no longer needs an IEP—her confidence is above and beyond what it once was, and she now proudly serves as a captain of her dance team, leading with both grace and humility.

Through dance, Journi has developed strong technical skills, flexibility, and stage presence. She’s also learned how to “rumble”—to keep going and fight through challenges with determination. Her incredible endurance has made her a standout in sports like track and volleyball, where her speed and agility shine. That same flexibility makes her a force across all the activities she’s involved in, allowing her to excel both artistically and athletically.

Most impressively, her confidence has grown to the point where she performs in front of thousands without fear, embracing every opportunity to lead, inspire, and express herself.”

– Journi’s mom, Johanna

life story: a lifeline

Brooke and Bryce, 9

“When you’re a parent, you want nothing more than to give your kids every opportunity to grow, thrive, and chase their dreams. But sometimes life throws challenges your way that make those dreams feel just out of reach. For me, as a mother trying to hold it all together, sports weren’t just an extracurricular—they were a lifeline. That’s where Every Kid Sports stepped in and changed everything.

Thanks to their support, my daughter Brooke got to cheer her heart out. I watched her light up in a way I hadn’t seen in a long time—confident, proud, and full of joy. She wasn’t just learning chants or routines; she was finding her voice, building friendships, and gaining a sense of belonging that carried over into every other area of her life.

And then there’s Bryce, my son who lives and breathes football now venturing into basketball. Without Every Kid Sports, I honestly don’t know how I would’ve made it happen. Watching him suit up, hit the field, and run with everything he had in him—it was more than just a game. It was purpose. It was pride. It was healing. Sports gave him a place to channel his energy, a community to connect with, and something to look forward to when days were hard.

What Every Kid Sports gave to my family goes beyond just financial help—it was emotional support, hope, and a reminder that good-hearted people still exist and still show up for others. And because of that, I’ve been inspired to keep the cycle going.

Once my nonprofit, NBW, is up and running, I dream of partnering with Every Kid Sports to extend that same helping hand to even more families. I want to pay it forward, amplify the impact, and build something sustainable that reflects the love and support we’ve been given. If they’ll have me, I’m ready to work side by side with them to reach even more kids who just need a chance.” 

– Brooke and Bryce’s  mom, Briana

life story: recognizing capability

Elsie, age 6

“Sports have made such a positive impact on our family, especially through my six year old daughter’s tball experience. From the get go, it was clear she’s a natural. The game just seems to make her shine. She’s grown so much in confidence, both on and off the field, and it’s been amazing to watch her step up to the plate with pride. Tball has brought us joy, laughter, and a chance to cheer her on as she discovers what she’s capable of. ” 

– Elsie’s mom, Gloria

life story: a new family ritual

Antonella, 10

“Sports have made a huge difference in our family, especially through my 10-year-old daughter’s experience playing youth basketball at the YMCA. She’s made amazing new friends, learned how to be a team player, and has grown so much in confidence—on and off the court. One of our favorite memories was watching her score her first basket in a game. The whole team cheered, and the smile on her face was unforgettable!

Basketball has not only helped her develop coordination and focus, but it’s also been a great way for her to stay active and off electronic screens. We’ve loved watching her grow each season, and the weekly practices and games have become a fun family ritual. It’s brought us closer together and shown her the value of commitment, effort, and community.” 

– Antonella’s  mom, Angeles

life story: an early start

Ashlyn, age 6

“Ashlyn was diagnosed with ADHD! This dance class is providing her with structure in a fun way that allows her to focus and improve her tumbling and rhythm. We have been blessed with this opportunity to use as a stepping stone for building her experience to use in her future activities!! I’m glad we are able to start so young. This organization helps us afford that! ” 

– Ashlyn’s mom, Ayanna

life story: Olympic aspirations

Jeanajay, 14

“I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for the scholarship that allowed my son to continue playing the sports he loves. Without it, he would not have been able to run track or pursue his dream of reaching the 2028 Olympics. Your generosity has been life-changing.

He is nominate for the prestigious Athlete of the Year award. He is currently ranked number one in South Florida in both football and track and field—not only for his athletic ability, but for his extraordinary dedication, perseverance, and impact on others.

From a very young age, he has faced challenges that would have stopped most in their tracks. As his mother, I aged out of foster care and have no family. We’ve lived through homelessness, and there’s been no male role model in his life. He has endured trauma—including saving me from an attack by his father—but still, he stands tall. He chose not to let his circumstances define him.

Through all of this, my son has committed himself to excellence. He’s maintained straight A’s in school, sought therapy to support his mental health, and embraced proper nutrition to fuel his performance. But more than that, he’s a source of strength and guidance to his teammates. He encourages them to make good choices, to be grateful, and to see sports as a way forward. He’s helped many of them stay out of trouble and find purpose.

My son isn’t just an athlete—he’s a leader, a mentor, and an inspiration. He’s given so much to his team and his community, and he continues to give his all to the dream of becoming an Olympian. The opportunity he was given through the scholarship has lit the path for him, and he’s made every step count.” 

– Jeanajay’s  mom, Doritha

life lessons: water safety

Arabella, age 4

“Arabella enjoying her swimming class! We are so thankful for this program to help Arabella learn a new sport- swimming, and be more confident when it comes to water safety. ” 

– Arabella’s mom, Lauren

life lessons: self esteem

Trystan, 12

“Having my son involved in sports goes far beyond merely learning the fundamentals of the game; it’s about instilling essential core values that will guide him throughout his life. Through practices and games, he’s discovering the true power of teamwork and the importance of collaboration with others, which teaches him that success often comes from working together toward a common goal. He’s also learning a crucial life lesson: that sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose, and how to handle both outcomes with grace and resilience. I genuinely believe that his participation in sports is playing a significant role in shaping him into a remarkable young man. I’ve noticed incredible growth in his confidence as he begins to master skills, overcome challenges, and celebrate achievements, both his own and those of his teammates. The sense of camaraderie among the team, along with the supportive group of parents, creates a warm, family-like atmosphere that enriches his experience. Through this journey, my son has forged true connections and made great friends, bonds that I am confident will last a lifetime. It’s heartwarming to see how these friendships evolve, as they share victories and setbacks, creating memories that will shape their childhood together. Each practice and game not only hones their athletic abilities but also builds a foundation of trust, respect, and lasting companionship.” 

– Trystan’s  mom, Lauren

life lessons: finding community

Aisea, age 10

“I am grateful and thankful to Every Kids Sport for giving my son Aisea Tatafu the opportunity to engage in a sport that he loves, which is Basketball.

Aisea was not only able to participate but he was able to learn various skills and techniques that was shown in every game he played. He showed alot of various skills and putting up shots that were difficult at first and this built his confidence, which made him enjoy the sport and helped bring him out of his shyness to being a very strong and confident team player.

Thank you Every Kids Sport for your support and service you have given that enabled Aisea to participate, learn, develop and improve dramatically in the sport of Basketball. I hope you continue to support children like him to help give them the opportunity to play and learn a sport not only to keep them active but to help them enjoy and develop in something that they love.” 

– Aisea’s dad, Willie

life lessons: self esteem

Me’Khai, age 13

“Being a single mother of six is a challenge but it also brings joy to my heart that all of my children love sport and it’s a blessing Every Kid Sports helps make it possible. ” 

– Me’Khai’s  mom, Yvonne

life lessons: challenging yourself

Eli, age 7

“Eli has always been my little energizer bunny since the moment he began walking at 7 months old. We knew right then our hands were going to be full with this one. We learned how much he loved being outdoors and playing with any ball he could pick up with his tiny hands and became a very fast learner. I knew I couldn’t wait until he was of age to put him in his first sport.

At 4 years old, he started playing flag football and since then has evolved tremendously with his athleticism, sportsmanship and always willing to challenge himself by trying out other sports, such as Pee Wee football, basketball and now rookie baseball. He truly has the heart for playing on the court and on the field. Eli was personally invited to play in his first tournament for the 2025 Seahawks NFL FLAG Regional Tournament on May 17th!

We are so very excited and we can’t wait to cheer his team on and watch him be great doing what he loves to do. Thank you so much for this opportunity allowing me to share with you about my son and his love for the game.” 

– Eli’s mom, Maxeen

life lessons: self esteem

Zahar, age 10

“Football has had such a positive impact on my seven-year-old son since our move to a new state. It’s helped him build confidence, make new friends, and feel a strong sense of community. The sport has given him a positive outlet for his energy and emotions, and we’ve seen such growth in both his self-esteem and his joy.” 

– Zahar’s mom, Rachel