Cash-Strapped Parents Turn to Grants to Keep Kids in Sports
i9 Sports Association gives hundreds of disadvantaged children the chance to play

BRANDON, FL, April 08, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With the tremulous economy taking a toll on parents' discretionary spending, a record number of families turned to the i9 Sports Association, the not-for-profit arm of national youth sports franchise, i9 Sports, to secure the funding needed to ensure that their children can play the sports they love.

Families' applications for funding increased more than 100% in the last year. In 2009, the i9 Sports Association awarded 216 grants to families who did not have the means to cover their children's enrollment fees, up from 98 in 2008.

"i9 Sports is all about building up a child's self esteem and giving them the skills to be a better person as they move into adulthood," said Frank Fiume, founder and CEO of i9 Sports. "The mission of our Association is to help as many kids as possible have the chance to benefit from the life lessons learned from playing organized sports."

Any child between the ages of 4-14 who is interested in playing in an i9 Sports league and whose parents or guardians can not afford to cover the league registration fee is eligible for a grant through the i9 Sports Association. At minimal or no cost to the parent/guardian, grant recipients enjoy participation in a local i9 Sports program, ranging from flag football, basketball, soccer to cheerleading. Sports programs available vary by location.

Fiume launched the i9 Sports Association after learning of the growing number of children who could not participate because their families couldn't afford to pay for organized sports programs.

"As i9 Sports continues to grow and serve new communities across America each day, we are also able to expand our grant making to impact a larger share of kids who can' t afford to play sports," Fiume said. "Its so rewarding to know that we're helping more children each year succeeds in life through sports. The lessons they learn will stick with them forever."

To apply for an i9 Sports Association grant, click here. For more information or to make a donation, please call 1-800-9-PLAYER.

Press Release Contact Information:

Chad Brooks
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