Opportunity Through Sport is a registered 501(c)(3) that was conceptualized when the founder, Ashley Finn, was umpiring a fastpitch softball game in Washington state. One of the teams from an extremely rural and poor community took the field wearing jeans, non-athletic type shoes, and used extremely antiquated and worn out equipment. It was in this moment that the Opportunity Through Sport concept began to take shape. It would be two years before the actual legal formation process began but the dream was born on this day.
Sports has a unique way of uniting people, helping people grow physically and mentally, and providing peace and entertainment in a sometimes unforgiving world. At Opportunity Through Sport, we aim to provide access to and opportunity for individuals, families and communities to participate in sports through many different means.
Providing families and teams with the ability to pursue sports in a more cost-effective means.
The cost of playing sports has never been more cost-prohibitive than it is today. Equipment, league fees and more have risen drastically making it difficult for many families to provide access to sports for their children. Costs have also risen due to the ever-increasing popularity of travel sports. Due to this and many other reasons, families (particularly for at-risk youth) simply do not have the resources to provide proper access to participation.
Opportunity Through Sport helps to bridge the gap for these families and their youth so that they have the ability to play alongside others who may be more privileged. The opportunity to participate in sports allows a child to learn teamwork, dream big, achieve personal growth, become exposed to new things, and much more.
Enabling those who would otherwise have no ability to attend sports the opportunity to do so.
Another area of opportunity to provide better access is to those individuals who normally have a difficult time participating in sports through attendance. Many retirees and others with special needs have difficulty getting to and from stadiums, purchasing tickets, finding friends to enjoy the trip with, etc. Opportunity Through Sport works with assisted living communities, retirement groups and others to find solutions that help these individuals attend sporting events in ways that make it practical for their circumstances.
Providing communities in impoverished areas with better resources to play sports with up-to-date apparel, equipment, and facilities.
Many communities are facing significant obstacles to maintaining or improving facilities due to budget cuts and the rising cost of supplies. Opportunity Through Sport helps identify communities in need and finding solutions to help improve their ability to provide access to sports.
Opportunity Through Sport has a goal of helping more than 500+ youth and those in assisted living participate in sports in 2023! Help us achieve this goal today!