SCHOOL-LEVEL LEADERS Clarify what information-sharing looks like School administrators, coaches and athletic directors can work with OUSD and parks and recreation to determine what information will be helpful to promote on directories – perhaps one for families and one for community providers. Families might want to know which sports are offered, how to register, costs, available scholarships, and contact information. Schools seeking partnerships might want to know from community sports providers what’s being offered (staff, equipment, teams), costs (per child or school contract), availability of volunteers, and previous experiences with schools. COMMUNITY PARTNERS Build the directory and bring it to life Technology companies and local brands could help build and finance one or more online directories. They have the technological expertise. Given the public’s frustration with Oakland city bureaucracy, a private entity could be best to host the site or sites, with OUSD and parks and recreation helping to market the product.
festival each year. In Canada, Calgary’s popular “All Sport One Day” event annually helps over 4,000 youth ages 6 to 17 try a new sport for free. In 2019, local organizations representing 77 sports hosted sports sessions at 20 facilities across the city. Families report children become more comfortable trying new sports due to this annual event, with 43% of surveyed parents saying they plan to enroll their child in a sport that was tried at “All Sport One Day.” 56 The event is free for youth. Costs are kept low by utilizing volunteers and donated sports facilities. Oakland community sports providers can also collaborate with Oakland Parks, Recreation and Youth Development (OPRYD) to include its programming in the directory while expanding the sports offerings at Town Camp each summer. Town Camp’s eight-week sessions currently have one week devoted entirely to sports, such as soccer, baseball, basketball, four square, gaga ball, and bocce ball, although sports themes at the camp aren’t guaranteed every summer. After our State of Play Central Ohio report was released in 2021, Greater Columbus Sports Commission launched a weeklong youth camp with 16 sports to provide equitable opportunities for kids ages 6 to 12 to sample. The camp leverages many providers, including pro sports teams and universities.
To support usage of the directory, have local sports providers team up for a sport sampling
STATE OF PLAY OAKLAND
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