Getting More Kids Moving by Providing Access to Sports Equipment [Podcast Series]
[:54] Dr. Bantham introduces her guest, Kaitlin Brennan
Kaitlin Brennan is the Chief Operating Officer at Leveling the Playing Field.
[1:07] Leveling the Playing Field mission and vision
“We're a nonprofit organization that redistributes equipment to expand access and equity within youth sports and recreation programs in under-resourced communities. But the easiest way to kind of understand who we are and what we do is we're a food bank for sports equipment.”
[3:24] Finding a common sense solution to a real problem
“So to really provide a solution and a positive point of connection for both the folks who have the resource as well as the folks who need the resource, that's really kind of the secret sauce to Leveling the Playing Field, that we're really providing that service to all different stakeholders within the youth sports community.”
[6:32] Logistics of sports equipment redistribution
“So really, behind the scenes, there is a lot going on. Again, there are three kind of main components of our model, and each one requires quite, quite a lot of logistical investment, I'd say. First off, we have collection, so we have to get the gear before we can give away the gear. And a lot of times, we're engaging with those youth sports moms and dads, those families who, again, their kid plays sports year round. They're constantly growing. They're generating more stuff than they know what to do with.”
[11:50] Expanding to different regions
“So we hear all, you know, both the problem and the solution from other communities, and that, at the end of the day, is super motivating for expanding and growing that LPF model, because we have been able to crack the code in terms of doing this at a larger scale. One of the key factors as to how we've been able to grow is that we really spent the necessary time and lessons learned to be able to manage the scale of the gear that we're working with and pushing right back out into the community.”
[16:25] Building trusted partnerships
“Partnerships and really authentic partnerships, that's a cornerstone of everything that we do. So we're really leveraging that partnership to get the gear in the door when it comes to engaging a more affluent sports league. Hey, please run this collection drive. We're asking you to trust us, that we're a legitimate organization, that we're going to be good partners, that we're going to deliver and pick up the gear when we say we're going to pick up the gear, get you the information when you need it.”
[20:53] Removing equipment cost barriers
“So in terms of impact, yeah, we recognize that it's more than a soccer ball. It's more than just a pair of cleats. What it really translates to is making sure that that kid has the resources he or she needs to be able to step onto the field comfortably, confidently and safely, to engage in something that could be, you know, a sport they're trying for the first time. It could be a physical education class where it's really the only opportunity they have to engage within organized play.”
[25:57] Project Play Communities
“And I think within youth sports development, it's even tighter, because, again, it's taken so long for people to just recognize sports is more than just a nice to have. It's a development tool. So I think it's been really interesting to see that again, LPF can kind of exist at this intersection between the school system, park and recs, private sector, professional sports like we can exist in the middle of all of that, and it's because we have a reason to engage each and every one of those stakeholders. It's through collecting the gear. It's through volunteerism. It's through distribution.”
