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Backyard Sports Cares Serves Port Chester Youths

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Backyard Sports Cares is based in White Plains, but its impact is felt by children and teenagers throughout the region.

Backyard Sports Cares holds its third annual fundraising tournament on Sunday at SUNY Purchase.

Backyard Sports Cares holds its third annual fundraising tournament on Sunday at SUNY Purchase.

Photo Credit: Provided/Harrison High School
Backyard Sports Cares' promotional flier for Sunday's tournament.

Backyard Sports Cares' promotional flier for Sunday's tournament.

Photo Credit: Provided
Action from last year's Backyard Sports Cares fundraising tournament.

Action from last year's Backyard Sports Cares fundraising tournament.

Photo Credit: Provided

The nonprofit organization brings the joy of team sports to children in underserved communities as well as to kids with special needs, according to its founder, Danny Bernstein.

On Sunday at SUNY Purchase, Backyard Sports Cares is hosting its third annual fundraising tournament from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There's still time to register here.

Teams of three, including many parents of the children involved with Backyard Sports Cares, compete to raise funds in support of BYSC programs.

Bernstein said Backyard Sports Cares coordinates its services with after-school recreation programs and youth bureaus in White Plains, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Mount Vernon and Yonkers -- currently bringing  "high-quality sports" to about 15 Westchester communities.

Other partners with Backyard Sports Cares include Carmel Academy in Putnam County, schools in Greenwich, Conn., Westchester Jewish Community Services and the YWCA of White Plains & Central Westchester.

Another major component of its program is teen mentoring. Members of Mamaroneck's state champion field hockey team recently spoke at a Backyard Sports event, and the Scarsdale High cheerleaders taught some hip-hop moves, Bernstein said. 

Established in 2005, Backyard Sports is committed to replacing today’s “win at all costs” mentality of youth sports with an approach that promotes increased self-confidence and a lifetime love of sports while maximizing the athletic potential of each participant, Bernstein said.

The program consists of weekly skill sessions and competitive game play for boys and girls in prekindergarten through high school. Current sports offerings include soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, fitness and martial arts.

Backyard Sports Cares also has recruited and trained hundreds of student leaders who serve as peer mentors and coaches in all of its programs

For more details, visit www.byardsports.com.

 

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