i play! afterschool Sport Training Goes Virtual

San Antonio Sports offers online instructional video library for PE teachers

San Antonio Sports has taken its i play! afterschool written sport curriculum and turned it into a series of professionally-developed instructional videos that will be provided to local PE teachers as a free resource for both distance learning and face-to-face instruction. This instructional video library will provide fun ways children can learn and practice basic skills in four sports – soccer, track, volleyball and basketball, plus a junior Alpha Warrior series—away from school using equipment and objects that can be found at home.  The videos can be found at SanAntonioSports.org.

“There is perhaps no entity greater than schools which has been touched by the pandemic,” says Russ Bookbinder, President & CEO of San Antonio Sports. “We have transformed our i play! afterschool curriculum into high energy instruction videos for our coaches, parents and students to use now and for years to come.”

This library of local content will provide more than 75 instructional video segments and features professional athletes sharing their expertise, including former MLS midfielder Mike Lahoud, USA Track &  Field athlete Kendra Chambers, and former WNBA San Antonio Stars All-Star forward Sophia Malcom-Young. The videos will be provided to the 53 i play! afterschool campuses, as well as any Bexar county school district who requests it, at no charge. To date Northside, North East, San Antonio, Southwest and South San Antonio ISDs have requested the videos.

“Quality instructional videos that can be used in different settings – virtual or in-person- to help develop youth, athletics skills is something that the physical education instructors across San Antonio are craving!” says Rachel Naylor, director, Physical Education, Health, & Athletics for North East ISD. “San Antonio Sports has stepped up to meet that need and we cannot wait to utilize them with our students.”

The site also includes nutrition tips and character education information.  i play! afterschool is San Antonio Sports innovative afterschool program that ignites a love of sport in 3rd through 5th graders, while teaching them life lessons about active living, good nutrition and strong personal character. During the 2019-20 school year, i play! afterschool served 1,450 children in 58 elementary schools in Harlandale, North East, Northside, San Antonio and Southwest school districts.

“With this video library, San Antonio Sports is bridging the gap between those who can readily access sport instruction and those who cannot, ensuring that all children in our community have the opportunity to experience the power of sport,” says Mandy Adkins, director of Youth & Community Programs.

For more information, visit SanAntonioSports.org.

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About San Antonio Sports

San Antonio Sports is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform our community through the power of sport.  San Antonio Sports bids on and hosts premier sporting events such as NCAA® championships, which have generated a local economic impact of more than $853 million.  San Antonio Sports kids programs, including i play! afterschool, University Health System Go!Kids Challenge™ and SUBWAY® Kids Rock marathon training program, annually touch the lives of more than 150,000 children.  Additionally, San Antonio Sports serves as a catalyst for the development of quality recreational and athletic facilities in our community and manages San Antonio Sports School Parks, a program that turns school grounds into community park space.  To learn more, visit SanAntonioSports.org.