Game On: Youth Athlete Support Fund reaches thousands of teens

08/01/2022


The Game On Fund hosted school
and district events in the Valley and
in Tucson to bring these no-cost
assessments to students.

Reaching underserved youth athletes is an important goal of Banner Sports Medicine Scottsdale, slated to open in summer 2023 as a comprehensive, one-stop destination for numerous sports medicine services and specialists under one roof. That’s why the Banner Health Foundation established the Game On: Youth Athlete Support Fund to provide preventative care to Arizona youth through three distinct assessments that have been proven to reduce injury and promote participation in sports.

“Participation in sports is, unfortunately, not always equitable, as sports physicals and baseline assessments can often mean out-of-pocket costs to a family,” says Dr. Amy Overlin, Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician with Banner Health. “The Game On Fund will help to level the playing field for youth across Arizona so they can participate without any barriers to play.”

In the spring, the Game On Fund hosted school and district events in the Valley and in Tucson to bring these no-cost assessments to students. A total of 1,689 students received sports physicals while 1,844 underwent baseline concussion testing. These free events and services were made possible by gifts to the Banner Health Foundation from the the Arizona Lottery, Phoenix Suns Charities, Arizona Coyotes, Tucson Roadrunners, Tucson Conquistadores, Elan's Charitable Giving, and Tony and Milena Astorga. Their support saved youth and their families approximately $75,000 combined in required pre-participation testing.

Banner Sports Medicine Scottsdale will be a three-story, 80,000-square-foot center that will welcome and serve athletes at all levels, from youth to professionals. “This center will give us the ability to reach a diverse population of people who participate in sports, not only in Arizona, but across the country,” said Quentin P. Smith Jr., chairman of the Banner Health Board of Directors. “A significant philanthropic component of this project will help ensure that young people across the state will have equal opportunity to fulfill their athletic aspirations.”