Description

Today we're exploring how the Y shapes the future of our youth through sports, fostering teamwork, skill development, and personal growth. So, let's jump right into the game and discover how we're nurturing potential, one goal, basket, and touchdown at a time.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [4:58] Louly outlines the sports programs offered at the Metro Atlanta Y
• [6:01] Rommel addresses the support provided to families who may face financial barriers to access youth sports and how they determine which sport is offered in each region
• [8:15] Louly addresses programming for children and adults with disabilities and diverse abilities
• [10:00] Scott discusses the importance of volunteering in sports programming, and Rommel adds many parents are becoming volunteers
• [13:24] The panelists share success stories they have witnessed through the Y's youth sports program
• [17:43] Scott talks about the adult sports programming
• [18:46] The World Cup coming to Atlanta and the partnership between the Y and the US Soccer Foundation is an amazing opportunity to introduce more youth to sports. Louly speaks about other programs that have partnered with the Y
• [22:02] Rommel speaks about appreciating the volunteers and how a child can enter a sport at any age
• [25:06] The guests reveal their Y stories

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [5:55] The Y offers financial assistance to families who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the programs and facilities of the Y
• [8:06] The Y has adapted its sports programming to serve children with disabilities, resulting in more accessibility and availability
• [9:44] Volunteers are vital to providing sports opportunities at the Y. Many volunteers are adults who experienced the Y in their childhood and want to give back to help others. 

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook:  YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Volunteer at the YMCA

YMCA Atlanta - Adult Sports

YMCA Atlanta - Youth Sports

BIOGRAPHY: 

Louly Hay-Kapp is Executive Director of the Covington Family Y.  Louly co-leads youth sports programming for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta and has been with the Y for 23 years. Louly, her husband Steve, and their Labrador Retriever, Mr. Utley, are known and beloved throughout the Covington community. In their spare time, they love to fish and hike. 

Rommel RitaRita is the Executive Director of the G. Cecil Pruett Community Family Y in Canton and the Cherokee Outdoor Y in Woodstock. He co-leads youth sports programming for the Association and has been in his role for four years and 17 years with the YMCA movement. Rommel and his wife, Darlene, live in Cherokee County and have three children: Rocket, who is 16, Ella-Alicia who is 13, and nine-year-old Easton. Rommel shares he is passionate about making a positive impact and continuing to educate the community about the variety of resources the Y offers. 

Regional Sports Director Scott Schadl is a native of Atlanta who started playing soccer at the South DeKalb YMCA in 1976. He has coached soccer for over 18 years, and all 5 of his children have participated in Y sports camps and learned how to swim at Y. Scott has been a Community Engagement Board member for the Y and coached at the Covington and Northwest Cobb Family Ys. Many of the youth he first coached are finishing college and entering the workforce, and as they've grown older, he's watched them develop with the instilled values of the Y.