Find a Business
Featured >
Pray then Play Sports:
PRAY THEN PLAY SPORTS is changing youth sports. It’s putting values ahead of winning.
The approach is catching on. The league has grown from its beginning at the First Baptist Church of High Springs in 2002 to include 16 churches and 3,500 young people.
John Moss, the Pray then Play coordinator at the Queen of Peace Catholic Community, talks about the uniqueness of the league this way:
“Winning comes fourth with Pray then Play.
“First comes outreach to anyone who is interested and to other churches that don’t ordinarily work together.
“Fellowship comes second.
“Adults leading by example is third.”
The league takes seriously the importance of parents setting an example of sportsmanship, said Pray then Play founder Keith Helsel, the children’s minister of First Baptist Church of High Springs.
“We will not tolerate parents who have an attitude,” he said. “We are a safe place for kids and for families.”
KEEPING PERSPECTIVE
In putting families first, Pray then Play limits practices to an hour and a half twice a week and requires that weekday practices end by 7:30 p.m.
“We want to give kids time to be home doing homework,” Helsel said. The league also lets every team member play and welcomes kids with disabilities.
ALL VOLUNTEER
Pray then Play has no paid staff. Even officials are volunteers.
This approach helps keep participation affordable. The registration fee for most sports is $35, which provides an opportunity to play as well as a jersey, a trophy and a banquet.
“We never turn anyone down if they can’t afford the registration fee,” Helsel said. G
Sign Up Today! (386) 454-1505 www.PrayThenPlay.com
-advertisement-
