What's Spring Into Sports? Get the facts here

Spring Into Sports is an extended week of coordinated sports competitions, demonstrations and recreational activities for youth representing each New Communities Program (NCP) neighborhood.

Hosted by several NCP organizations in collaboration with LISC/Chicago, Spring Into Sports will be held at four different venues from April 4-10, 2009 culminating in championship play and closing ceremonies on April 11 at Crane Technical Prep High School, 2245 W. Jackson Blvd. Spring Into Sports will coincide with Chicago Public School’s spring break and the visit of the International Olympic Committee to Chicago.

Eight neighborhoods participated in the 2008 Hoops in the Hood tournament. They'll be back to compete at Spring into Sports.

Eric Young Smith

The event will demonstrate Chicago’s leadership on sports and active-lifestyle programming developed to improve the health of residents and strengthens families and community life. Spring Into Sports will also provide an opportunity to promote summer events and programs and recruit new players and coaches.

PROGRAMS & SCHEDULE

April 4-5 (11 a.m. - 5 p.m.): Registration, skills challenges, demonstrations, swimming and workshops at all locations.

April 6-10 (11 a.m. - 5 p.m.): Tournaments in archery, badminton, basketball, table tennis, track & field and volleyball will be offered for middle- and high-school aged youth.

Skills challenge: Participants will test their ability to dribble, shoot, score (soccer/basketball), long-jump, and sprint. Girls in the Game will hold workshops on one day at each location. Skills challenges are open to elementary, middle- and high-school aged players.

Skills drills including track and field will be offered to age groups from elementary to high school.

Eric Young Smith

Demonstrations & lessons: Amateur and professional athletes will offer demonstrations in a variety of sports including boxing, gymnastics, fencing and martial arts. Demonstrations and lessons will be available to elementary (with adult supervision), middle- and high-school aged players.

April 11 (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.): All participating neighborhoods will be invited to attend the finals and closing ceremony which will be held at Crane High School on April 11.

SPRING INTO SPORTS WILL INVITE ATHLETES FROM ALL NCP NEIGHBORHOODS.

Target participation levels for each tournament sport per NCP community:
Archery (15 players per community)
Badminton (20 teams of 2 players per community)
Basketball (8 teams of 8 players each, per community)
Table tennis (12-16 players per community)
Track & field (20 athletes per community)
Volleyball (2 teams of 10 players each, per community)

VENUES

Crane High School, Near West Side, 2245 West Jackson Blvd.
Englewood High School, Englewood, 6201 South Stewart Ave.
Little Village Lawndale High School, 3120 South Kostner
Orr High School, Humboldt Park, 730 North Pulaski

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

Spring Into Sports will be implemented by community-based organizations with support from residents, local institutions, neighborhood leaders, World Sport Chicago and the Chicago Park District. LISC/Chicago will provide technical assistance in the form of sports and event management.

Host community/organization: (a) recruit players and teams for all forms of play and market the event, and (b) identify venues, (c) recommend site directors and interns, and (d) recruit a minimum of 10 volunteers. Host communities/organizations will be offered modest operating support grants.

Venues: host all six athletic competitions, skills challenge, and recreational activities for youth and families. Modest resources are available for facility costs.

Leadership roles: each facility will require a Site Manager and Sports Director responsible for overall management of event locations and tournament play with support from up to three interns. Site Managers, Sports Directors and interns will receive stipends.

Neighborhood Sports Chicago is an outgrowth of LISC/Chicago's New Communities Program, which has invested heavily in youth programming over the past seven years.