Last month, PeacePlayers joined a coalition of community sports organizations in Albany to advocate for the future of youth sports in New York State. As one of 10 programs invited by our longtime partner, Laureus Sport for Good, PeacePlayers traded the basketball court for the halls of government—working to ensure that all young people, no matter their zip code, have equitable access to the life-changing power of sport.

And it was a busy day: 43 Organizations signed onto our letter of support, nearly 100 emails were sent to elected officials, over 100 legislators were reached, growing momentum among stakeholders across the state. These efforts are part of PeacePlayers’ ongoing advocacy efforts as members of the Laureus Leadership Council, with our very own Alesha Smith, Director of PeacePlayers Brooklyn, playing a key role on the coalition’s advocacy subcommittee.

At the center of this movement is Bill S5640/A8167, legislation that proposes a bold but necessary shift in how New York funds youth sports. Originally, the state capped annual funding at $5 million, often falling short of the actual need—especially in underserved communities. The proposed bill not only raises this cap, but also ensures more equitable and effective distribution of funds by leveraging trusted intermediaries like Laureus USA.

If passed, the bill would double youth sports funding to $20 million annually—split evenly between programming and capital improvements. In New York City, 75% of the programming funds would go to the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), and 25% would flow through Laureus USA, allowing for more targeted support to grassroots organizations like PeacePlayers.

This moment reflects something bigger than policy change. It reflects our belief that sport is not just a game—it’s a vehicle for social justice, for opportunity, for community transformation. At PeacePlayers, we’re proud not only to serve young people on the court, but also to advocate for the systems that support their long-term success.

Alesha Smith, Director of PeacePlayers Brooklyn put it best: “Sport has taken me all over the world, but standing in the halls of Albany and speaking with political officials about the Youth Sports Bill, reminded me just how powerful sport is. It is more than a game; it is a platform for leadership, community, and change. Sharing the work we do at PeacePlayers and hearing officials reflect on their own experiences in sport reinforced that sport is a language of its own. When used intentionally, it can unify people across differences. Our youth deserve access to programs that do this kind of life-changing work, and I am proud to stand in support of this critical piece of legislation.” 

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with collaboration, commitment, and courage, it does happen. We’re honored to stand with our partners in building a future where every child can play, grow, and lead—on and off the court.