Last week, the Montgomery County Council approved more than $1.5 million to support local youth sports and recreation.

Youth sports and recreation in Montgomery will benefit from special appropriations across three separate grants. Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth, and Families will receive $500,000 to implement  programming for vulnerable and low-income youth.

Additionally, the Council also approved $500,000 for the Department of Recreation to provide affordable and universal youth sports leagues and activities targeting underserved communities in the County. A further $500,000 will go to the Office of Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) for the Facility Fee Assistance Program to reduce fees for field and building use for youth sports programs that are primarily servings vulnerable or low-income youth and are free to participants or charge a nominal fee. Funding from these grants comes evenly from the County’s general fund and federal grants.

From the agenda documents:

Youth sports have significant social and wellness benefits to participants. In addition to promoting mental and physical health and activity, youth sports help develop confidence, keep youth engaged in productive activities, and help to teach team building and goal setting objectives. However, according to the Office of Legislative Oversight March 10, 2020 report “Youth Sports in Montgomery County”, youth sports participation in Montgomery County is disproportionately higher in more affluent regions of the County and “many areas lack access to affordable youth sports.”

For more information view the agenda document.