Academy Sports + Outdoors Teams Up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to Expand Youth Sports Opportunities
A shared belief in the power of play is fueling a new national partnership between Academy Sports + Outdoors and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Together, the two organizations aim to bring more sports and outdoor fun to kids across the country—especially those in communities that need it most.
The initiative kicks off with more than just a promise. Academy will serve as a national partner for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a nonprofit with a 160-year legacy of creating safe, enriching spaces for children and teens. With more than 5,400 Clubs across the country reaching over 3 million young people each year, the organization is deeply rooted in neighborhoods that often lack access to athletic programs and equipment. Locally, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston serves 50,000 youth every year through 24 Clubs located across five counties in the Greater Houston area.
“Sports and outdoor activities have the power to bring people together by helping kids build confidence and strengthening the bonds within our communities,” said Meredith Klein, Vice President of Communications for Academy Sports + Outdoors. “Academy is excited to team up with Boys & Girls Club of America to create fun opportunities that get kids outside and active.”
Getting Kids Off the Sidelines and Into the Game
Through the partnership, Academy is introducing “Intro to Sport” kits—bundles of sports gear and easy-to-follow coaching guides—that will be distributed to Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. The goal is simple: get kids moving, playing, and discovering what they love.
These kits are seasonally tailored and designed to make it easier for Club staff and volunteers to kickstart recreational programs. Whether it’s a set of soccer balls and cones in the spring or basketballs in the winter, the equipment is meant to lower the barriers that keep many children from participating in sports.
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Beyond the gear, Academy will host shopping sprees for Club members throughout the year. These events will outfit kids with back-to-school clothes, holiday gifts, or sports and outdoor gear—essentials that can often be out of reach for many families.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of America believes in purposeful partnerships that align with our mission and contribute to society,” said Eric Osborne, Senior Director of Sports Programming at BGCA. “We’re thrilled to join forces with Academy Sports + Outdoors, a company that shares our dedication to making sports accessible to all youth. This partnership will enable young people to engage in sports, develop new skills, and foster a sense of community, all while making active lifestyles easily attainable.”
Moments That Matter
The collaboration is already making a difference. Earlier this year, during two of Academy’s grand opening events in Pennsylvania, NFL linebacker and Harrisburg native Micah Parsons surprised 100 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg with a personal shopping spree. A day later, Juelz Goff, a University of Pittsburgh running back, did the same for 100 more kids from the Columbia Clubhouse and Jack Walker Clubhouse at the York, Pa. store.
The events weren’t just about picking out new shoes or sportswear. For many of the kids, it was about being seen, encouraged, and inspired by role models who once stood in their shoes.
A Partnership Built on Shared Roots
Academy Sports + Outdoors, founded in 1938 as a Texas-based family business, has grown into one of the nation’s largest full-line sporting goods retailers. With over 300 stores across 21 states, Academy’s mission—Fun for All—guides its focus on accessibility, affordability, and active lifestyles.
Similarly, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has long championed the potential of every child. With Clubs located in urban neighborhoods, rural towns, military bases, and tribal lands, BGCA provides mentorship and enrichment during critical after-school hours. Programs are built around academic success, leadership development, and healthy living—with sports playing a major role in all three.
Together, Academy and BGCA are working to turn ordinary days into extraordinary opportunities. By placing sports equipment and mentorship directly into the hands of kids, they’re investing in more than games—they’re investing in confidence, teamwork, and the belief that every child deserves the chance to play.
For more information on Academy’s initiatives, visit academy.com, or to learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America, visit bgca.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
