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The accessibility of sports should never be a barrier to the next Serena Williams, David Beckham, or Roger Federer from breaking world records.




For many people, their preferred sport was their first life love.

But, like anything in life, you have to pay to play, and sometimes that holds people back from chasing their dreams. 

Whether it’s buying the necessary equipment, paying to join an academy or travel team to sharpen skills, or, in the case of the U.S.A. Water Polo 2024 Olympic teams, qualifying but not being able to afford the expenses to travel and compete, financial barriers can stand in the way of talent and passion.


With sports like soccer, football, and rugby, all you need is a ball and the desire to play. Some sports, like tennis, lacrosse, and hockey, require a bit more, but are potentially financially attainable. For sports like golf, rock climbing, and snowboarding, not only is there a buy-in cost for equipment, but there are also membership or access fees to play and practice.








Other sports related expenses could be:

  • Registration/team expenses
  • Equipment & upgrades
  • Travel expenses: gas, flights, & hotels
  • Skill trainings: camps & private lessons 
  • Food & dining

https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2022/costs-to-play-trends


Now imagine falling completely in love with a sport, only to be held back from joining the team because your family can’t afford it.

People never forget the privilege of being able to play their preferred sport—let alone having the opportunity to play multiple.


How could Play-It-Again Sports and the Olympics help provide underrepresented children with the opportunity to play and excel in their chosen sports?


Equipment Donations


Scholarships

With an abundance of donated or affordable used equipment, Play-It-Again Sports can provide low-income schools with the resources they need. This gives students the opportunity to try different sports that may not be common in their area or are limited due to lack of supplies.
Talent alone isn’t enough—financial support is often the barrier. These scholarships can help cover higher education, skill camps, and tournament expenses, giving MVPs the chance to train, compete at their level, and advance to the next tier. In turn, this support helps develop the next generation of world-renowned athletes.

Tournaments in Underrepresented Countries


We tune into the Olympics, World Cup, Premier League, NFL, and the Grand Slams—but that’s because these countries have the accessibility and resources to broadcast these events. What about sand soccer on the beaches of Ghana? Flag football in Cambodia? Cricket in Latvia? By highlighting these sports, we could showcase these beautiful places, bring awareness to underrepresented countries, and discover new talent that might otherwise go unseen.

Through this initiative, Play-It-Again Sports could build its brand by creating engaging, unique content, while the Olympics could provide a platform for countries that rarely receive global attention.



Why Might this Work?




Remember the Play60 campaign?

This initiative was a collaboration between the NFL and the American Heart Association to encourage kids to lead healthier lifestyles by being active for at least 60 minutes each day.





An Unlikely Partnership:
Flavor Flav & U.S.A. Water Polo Teams

In 2024, Flavor Flav learned of the U.S.A. Water Polo teams’ financial struggles that threatened their ability to compete in the Olympics. In response, he decided to sponsor both the men’s and women’s teams for the next five years.