Portland, OR— The University of Portland women’s basketball team plans to team up with two local Playworks elementary schools in the “Playworks and Pilots Exhibition.” Over the next few weeks, the Pilots players plan to continue their efforts to reach out to the community and visit Beach Elementary and Bridger School in Portland. These school exhibitions will promote the value of physical activity, teamwork and fun. The event will include student participation, lots of cheering, high-fives and giveaways to boost excitement. The women Pilots also recently hosted Playworks’ Basketball Extravaganza kick off event.
“Our core values are respect, inclusion, healthy play and healthy community and these young women are wonderful role models and exemplify them,” says Playworks Portland Executive Director Jonathan Blasher. “Over the past year, we have been fortunate to build our relationship with the University of Portland. They are a valuable partner.”
Pilot’s Women's Basketball Program Assistant Sarah Griffin, noted, "We enjoy reaching out to the community, especially the young children. We have the opportunity to teach them about teamwork and sportsmanship, which are applicable not only within the athletic context but also necessary for many experiences off the court/field."
A recent quote from a 5th grade Playworks Girls' Basketball team member;
“Basketball is my life! I want to make it into college playing basketball!”
About Playworks
Playworks is a national nonprofit organization that provides safe, healthy, inclusive play and physical activity to schools at recess and throughout the entire school day. Celebrating its 15-year anniversary, Playworks is the only nonprofit organization in the country to send trained, full-time coaches to low-income, urban schools. Playworks currently serves more than 130,000 children in 300 low-income schools in 22 cities throughout the country every school day.
Playworks is in its third year in Portland, where it is bringing safe and inclusive play to nearly 6,000 children in 14 low-income Portland Public Schools, improving school climate and boosting academic performance.
https://www.playworks.org/portland
About University of Portland
The University of Portland, an independently governed Catholic university guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross, addresses significant questions of human concern through disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies of the arts, sciences, and humanities and through studies in majors and professional programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
