All deserve access to youth sports programs
As a coach since 2001, I have witnessed the erosion of youth sports in our country as chronicled by Albany County Executive Daniel P. Mccoy in his commentary, “Albany County sports program aims to level the playing field,” Dec. 4.
The inequities in cost, talent and coaching experience has prevented youth from all walks of life from having access to the life lessons organized sports provide.
This shift was a large part of the reason I founded Athletic Haven in 2016. This not-for-profit organization strives to level the playing field by offering opportunities to play competitive sports at low- or no-cost through camps, open gyms, coaching and training.
As our volunteer-based organization works to make inroads into the communities throughout our region, we laud Mccoy for his efforts to bring organized sports to the underserved. Our missions run on a parallel platform, as Mccoy recognized when he honored me with Citizen of the Month in March 2017 for my efforts with Athletic Haven.
What sets Athletic Haven apart, however, is its Awareness Athletics program that affords youth athletes participation in area travel teams in exchange for their support of local charities. We also strive to set these athletes on a path for success by awarding annual scholarships to those that display exceptional sportsmanship, skill and resiliency.
I am hopeful that programs such as the Albany County Department of Recreation and Athletic Haven can help to bridge the divide and bring athletic opportunities to all youth — regardless of socioeconomic class or ability.
scott Mcintyre Albany