With the support of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and partner organizations across youth sports, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced the Youth Sports Facilities Act (YSFA) in Congress yesterday. The YSFA would open a new funding source for youth sports facilities and recreational spaces using Economic Development Assistance (EDA) grants. EDAs are currently not eligible to be used for investments in youth sports infrastructure projects which is why the YSFA is so critical, as it would provide the financial support needed for communities currently lacking in facilities to receive the funding needed to develop new sports and recreation projects.
“The Youth Sports Facilities Act is a bipartisan solution designed to bring communities together, create economic opportunity, and improve the physical and mental well-being of students across the nation,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “For too long, an area code has determined whether students could have access to facilities or the resources necessary to participate and compete. I am proud to champion the Youth Sports Facilities Act because it opens the door for communities across Michigan and around the country to create new opportunities for children to develop critical skills, enhance local tourism, and foster small business growth.”
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the accessibility challenges that many Americans face when it comes to participating in sports and recreational activities. Not being able to participate in these types of activities leads to the worsening of both mental and physical health in the U.S. SFIA is committed to working with stakeholders to address the barriers limiting youth sports participation and has led the effort on the YSFA legislation, securing bi-partisan support in Congress.
“The access barrier to sports participation keeps youth off the playing field – denying them the opportunity to realize the mental and physical health benefits of activity and limiting the development of the social skills essential to a child’s growth,” says Todd Smith, President & CEO, SFIA. “SFIA fully endorses the Youth Sports Facilities Act to give communities the resources needed for investments in youth sports facilities which will lower the current access barrier to participation.”
The YSFA will allow for more kids to be active and healthy, while also providing participants with important leadership, team building, and social skills. Youth sports organizations are united in their support for YSFA and appreciate the leadership of Congressman Huizenga and Congressman Veasey on this legislation.
“As the leading nonprofit provider of youth sports programs, YMCA of the USA supports the Youth Sports Facilities Act. Youth sports facilities often lead to growth in local economies as families attend sporting events and support local businesses, hotels, and restaurants”, says Jeffrey Britt, Chief Government Affairs Officer, YMCA of the USA. “Youth sports programs create a space for families and the community to belong, improve health outcomes, and strengthen the fabric of the economy and the community.”
In 2024, almost half a billion dollars in EDA grants were used to pay for small business loans, workforce training, and infrastructure projects – but no funding went to the development of youth sports facilities, which can spur additional investments in a community. New youth sports and recreational facilities can lead to additional investments in surrounding businesses such as convenience stores, restaurants, fueling stations, and grocery stores, as well as the construction of new hotels and housing communities.
“A great many children are denied the benefits of sports and exercise due to the shortage of athletic facilities,” says Jon Executive Director, Pop Warner Little Scholars. “In other cases, too many participants practice on limited areas which is unsafe as teams overlap. The Youth Sports Facilities Act will provide for more facilities being available for our children, our most precious commodity. As childhood obesity numbers rise, it is our duty to get kids off their sofas and enjoy getting healthy exercise.”
“Youth sports are a vital part of America's fabric and a significant part of the work done by local parks and recreation departments,” says, Kyle Simpson, Director of Government Affairs, National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA). “On behalf of our 60,000 members, the NRPA is proud to endorse the Youth Sports Facilities Act. This critical legislation will expand access to high-quality youth sports programs nationwide.”
With strong Congressional leadership behind the Youth Sports Facilities Act (YSFA), today’s introduction of the legislation is an important step in getting more resources for youth sports facility development in communities that lack them. SFIA will continue to build support for the YSFA and work with stakeholders to move the YSFA through the legislative process for increased investments in youth sports and recreation facilities to get more kids active.
For more information or questions regarding the YSFA, please contact Bill Sells, SVP, Government Relations & Public Affairs, at bsells@sfia.org.
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