Overview
YES! We Can Play is an after-school sports program for Birmingham City Schools’ and Bessemer City Middle School 6th grade students led by coaches and delivered in person three times a week at participating schools. The program provides a variety of sports for students to choose to play. Coaches will teach the players valuable sports readiness concepts to prepare for competitive team sports. Players will receive Fitbits to track their physical activity and a YES! Physical Activity backpack filled with sports equipment.
Students interested in registering for the program should register here and talk to their physical education (P.E.) teacher to make sure that their school is participating in YES!
Testimonials
“Sixth grade is a time when we lose athletes because, when they’re looking for things to do, there are no sports offered…We needed a program to address the gap between elementary school and middle school, which is why we collaborated with UAB for YES! We can PLAY.”
– Henry Pope
Athletic Director, Birmingham City Schools
“We want to get children physically active, moving and enjoying what they do,” “YES! We can PLAY helps keep them involved and provides interest by adding another dimension on the few opportunities that exist. An increased variety of organized sport activities will allow students to participate in getting and staying healthy.”
– Sherri Huff, Ed.D.
Program Specialist for Physical Education, Health and Driver Education
Birmingham City Schools
“YES! We Can Play gets kids interested and excited about sports and prepares them to play on school sports teams. Our ultimate goal is that kids develop habits that lead to physical activity and healthy eating integrated throughout their lives,”
– Lori Bateman, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator, Yes! We Can Play!
UAB Division of Preventive Medicine
