MEDIA ADVISORY: Clinton Health Matters Initiative to Hold Houston Town Hall Focused on Youth Access to Sports

Program will bring together youth serving organizations, athletes, philanthropists, and policymakers on issues of youth participation in physical activity and sports

HOUSTON, TX – On Thursday, May 26, the Clinton Health Matters Initiative (CHMI), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, will hold a Town Hall to discuss the vital role of youth sports in building healthy communities and scalable solutions for overcoming barriers to youth participation in sports and physical activity. By bringing together youth sport organizations, afterschool programs, and recreation leagues, CHMI is facilitating youth organizations to engage with one another and build a broader coalition that promotes youth engagement through sports and physical activity programs that encourage young people to start and stay in sports, keep physically active for the long term and reduce the prevalence of chronic disease and health inequalities.

In America, fewer than half of children aged 6 to 11 meet the U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendation to engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, only 40% of kids played team sports on a regular basis in 2013, down from 44.5% in 2008. This decline translates into 2.6 million kids no longer playing or being physically active. Studies have shown that physical activity – particularly sports – can positively influence youth self-esteem, goal setting, and leadership. Additionally, afterschool sport programs can raise classroom attendance and grades while also reducing aggressive behavior.

***FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY***
***SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

WHAT
Access to Sports Houston Town Hall Keynote and Panel Discussion

WHO
Opening Remarks:
Rain Henderson, CEO, Clinton Health Matters Initiative

Moderator:
James Starks, Former Professional Football player and sports anchor

Keynote Conversation:
Santana Dotson, Former defensive lineman for the Super Bowl XXXI Champion Green Bay Packers; Founder, The Santana Dotson Foundation 
Ileana Rodriguez, Para-Olympic Swimmer, 2012 London Games; Designer, HKS Inc.
Jackie Washington, President, United States Olympians and Paralympians Association – Houston, 1984 Olympic Hall of Fame 

Panelists:
Wylie Chen, Vice President, Programs and Grants, US Soccer Foundation
Dianna Dixon, Director, Central Plains Regional Affairs, The First Tee
Paul McEntire, President and Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of Greater Houston   
Amy Rauworth, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Lakeshore Foundation; Associate Director of the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability 
Jamie Schmill, New Orleans Program Officer, Laureus Sports for Good Foundation, USA 

WHEN
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Pre-set: 8:00 AM CT
Keynote: 8:35 AM CT
Panel Discussion: 8:50 AM – 9:45 AM CT

WHERE
The Depot Room, Minute Maid Park, Astros Arena
501 Crawford Street
Houston, TX 77002

For press credentials, please contact press@clintonfoundation.org.