Mikaela Nadolski • June 14, 2021

Here’s Why Youth Sports Are Important in Fighting Racism

Organized sports encourage participation in physical fitness, improving the health and well-being of its participants.

We know that and we bet you do too, which is why it’s a part of our mission statement. But what if we told you that sports, especially youth sports, play a role in the fight against racism too? 


Studies
have found that kindergarteners already begin to show bias, or favoritism, to groups of certain races. That means the discussion about racism and exposure to people of diverse backgrounds must happen at a young age. And this is where youth sports come into play. Keep reading for a few reasons why the California State Games emphasizes the importance of youth sports as well as its place in ending racism. 


Athletes have teammates from all backgrounds

There is a lot going on at any sporting event, to say the least! You’ve got your athletes, coaches, parents, teammates, mentors, officials, referees, umpires… you get where we’re going with this. This is all an opportunity for a young athlete to interact with people of many backgrounds and widen their circle of friends. Think about it: how many of us met one of our childhood best friends through sports?


Sports expose children to diverse coaches and officials

In addition to their teammates, young athletes have authority figures in their coaches, mentors, officials, and others. People from all backgrounds and cultures fill these roles, which exposes children to a range of diverse authority figures. Athletes build relationships with their coaches and learn to respect them. In addition, this challenges the negative attitudes they may have developed about other groups. 


Sports teach values in inclusive environments

Sports teach values like teamwork, character and respect, which is why the California State Games and other organizations so highly value them. But furthermore, it’s likely one of the first places where young athletes learn those values all the while working within a diverse environment. This sets them up to be more tolerant and accepting of people who are not like them. 


June 4, 2025
Celebrate the Spirit of the Games at the 2025 California State Games Opening Ceremonies presented by Kaiser Permanente!
May 24, 2024
SAN DIEGO, CA (May 24, 2024) –The 2024 State Games of America presented by National University, a biennial Olympic-style amateur sports competition that features medalists from State Games throughout the country announced today that National University will offer up to 250 free individual sports registrations to Active Duty military members and their dependents. The California State Games, managed by Sports San Diego, successfully bid to bring the State Games of America to San Diego for this event that happens every two years. Approximately 10,000 athletes are expected to compete in the competition across multiple venues in San Diego County from July 17-21, 2024. San Diego last hosted the State Games of America in 2011. “We are so excited to welcome thousands of athletes from all around the country to San Diego for the State Games of America,” said Sports San Diego CEO, Mark Neville. “Likewise, we are so appreciative to our longtime partner National University for underwriting the entry fees for participants representing our military community. In many ways this is going to be a very special event that is going to provide San Diego with a tremendous impact.” “National University is in and of San Diego, and we are thrilled to see the State Games of America coming to San Diego this summer,” said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of Veteran-founded, nonprofit National University, at which 50% of undergraduate students are military affiliated. “The dedication and hard work of these athletes parallels that of the military community and serves as inspiration to striving National University students to successfully achieve their goals. We wish all the competitors the best of luck in the Games.” The National Congress of State Games (NCSG), created in 1986 as the official association of State Games organizations nationwide, began with New York's Empire State Games in 1978 and has since grown to encompass 30 Summer State Games and 10 Winter State Games, engaging over 265,000 athletes and 50,000 volunteers annually. Active Duty military members and their dependents participating in individual sports can find the link to verify their ID on sport registration pages, where, following verification, they will be provided instructions on how to redeem their registration. All questions about the 250 complimentary entries into the 2024 State Games of America hosted in San Diego can be directed to info@stategamesofamerica.com . All California and Nevada residents can register for the State Games of America just like they would for a traditional California State Games. Athletes from any other National Congress of State Games (NCSG) Member State programs must meet qualification criteria to participate. For further information and eligibility, visit stategamesofamerica.com. # # # About California State Games California State Games (CSG) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the largest amateur sports festival in the state. As a community-based member of the United States Olympic Committee, CSG have hosted their Olympic-style event since 1988. As of 2023, CSG is managed by Sports San Diego. About Sports San Diego Recognizing that San Diego is a premier tourist destination, the mission of Sports San Diego, a non-profit 501c3 organization, is to generate tourism, visibility, and economic impact for the San Diego region by producing the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl, Rady Children’s Invitational, California State Games and recruiting outstanding sports events and experiences to San Diego. Since 1978, the association has generated more than $1 billion in economic benefit for the San Diego region. About National University National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of nontraditional, working, and military students by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 190+ online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 230,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University’s new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu . # # www.sportssandiego.org # #
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