Tacoma Pierce County
State of Play
GET EVERY KID IN THE GAME
The Names Family's new Partnership with the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program will analyze the state of youth sports in Tacoma-Pierce County and will offer recommendations to grow access to quality sport options for all children.
The report, State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County, will be a product of a year-long analysis examining how well adults in the region are serving youth through sports and physical activity, regardless of zip code or ability.
A GROWING LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
According to the 2021 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, only 22% of sixth graders met the recommendations for 60 minutes of daily physical activity. This is a decrease from 26% who did not meet the standard in 2018 and 33% in 2008. Pierce County ranks 19th among all health outcomes out of 39 counties in Washington, making Pierce above average but well below the other two largest counties: King County (2nd) and Snohomish County (5th).
FINDING SOLUTIONS
Guided by a task force of local leaders and in partnership with Metro Parks Tacoma, State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County will address challenges and opportunities for more children to receive quality access to sports and play. The report will feature results from a survey of local youth, 40 findings on strengths and gaps in providing access to sports, and recommendations for improvements.
NAMES FAMILY FOUNDATION HAS BEEN CHAMPIONING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH FOR GENERATIONS
The Names Family Foundation Board of Directors has kept the mission alive by providing grants to numerous recipients throughout the Pierce County region – cumulatively granting over $36 million to support sports, athletics and community wellness. State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County will offer data and strategies to help the community identify needs and initiatives – with a more targeted approach to funding projects.
The Names Family Foundation is very invested in this community, funding opportunities for youth and families to be active and healthy, After 26 years of grantmaking – and recognizing COVID 19’s significant impact to the landscape of sports and physical activity – now is a great time to convene a coalition of community partners to embark on this research project, State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County. We are honored to be co-hosting with Metro Parks Tacoma and over 20 other leaders whose work revolves around play, sports, recreation, and healthy communities.
PROJECT PLAY REPORT COMPONENTS
Quantitative measures for the quality and quantity of youth sports, based on one or more of the following surveys: youth, parents, coaches, sport administrators
40 key findings – 5 per each of Project Play’s 8 strategies that can get and keep kids active through sport
Quantitative measures for the quality and quantity of youth sports, based on one or more of the following surveys: youth, parents, coaches, sport administrators
5 recommendations for stakeholders to rally around
1 deep dive on a “game changing” opportunity
Maps and graphic representations of the above interspersed throughout and in appendices
Maps and graphic representations of the above interspersed throughout and in appendices
For a complete example of the Project Play report,
visit the Oakland 2022 report.
GETTING IN CONTACT
The mission of the Sports & Society Program is to convene leaders, foster dialogue, and inspire solutions that help sport serve the public interest, with a focus on the development of healthy children and communities. Its signature initiative is Project Play, which develops, applies and shares knowledge that helps build healthy communities through sports.
For more information, visit www.ProjectPlay.us
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world.
For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org