Open Door Sports: Participating in USCC Foundation Sports Forward Summit: Women in Sports
Written by: Sarah Albus Posted on: September 6, 2018 Blog: News
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Open Door Sports Inc. is very proud to be taking part in the upcoming USCC Foundation Sports Forward: Women in Sports. Women in Leadership event on September 17, 2018
https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/event/sports-forward-0
Albus states, “Having under-represented girls and women in sports be part of the USCC Foundation Sports Forward conversation is just wonderful. Sports are an amazing tool for the empowerment of women and girls; the lessons learned on a pitch, court, course or pool go far beyond mere physical sports, they give our daughters the confidence to succeed and enjoy collaboration in every aspect of their lives.”
In September 2016, along with founding partner, the Player Progression Academy (PPA), Albus a former Division 1 and National B Team Player started Open Door Sports Inc., out of a desire to provide high-quality sports programming to ALL kids in the Metro DC area - regardless of perceived ability, financial need or location.
It is a point of pride for Open Door Sports that no child is ever turned away, regardless of their physical, intellectual or financial challenges.Albus continues, “It really does take a village! In less than 2 short years, we are now offering programs in 10 schools, having coached over 235 players and trained 150 peer buddies who help with mentorship on the field while earning their school community service hours.”
Open Door Sports currently works with students in the K-8th grades and offers soccer, basketball and bocce, as well as special partner workshops such as ZamDance (a form of Zumba that is geared towards students with Autism, Down Syndrome and other intellectual development disabilities) and Fitness Training through local Spirit Club.
As demand for Open Door Sports programming continues to rise, Albus and her colleagues are excited to find ways to expand their reach and help more students. “The impact on students when they join an ODS team is huge; not only do they get to expend energy which has a very positive effect on their ability to concentrate and succeed in the classroom, but also their confidence, which is often quite low at the beginning of the season, grows and blossoms – it’s a wonderful thing to see!”