Bipartisan legislation would expand youth sports facilities & support student mental health.
(April 10, 2025) – U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing bipartisan legislation to build more sports facilities for Georgia kids and families.
This week, Sens. Ossoff and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the bipartisan Youth Sports Facilities Act to help build and upgrade sports facilities across Georgia, giving kids and families safe spaces to play while also supporting student mental health and boosting economic growth.
The bipartisan legislation would make youth sports facilities eligible for grants through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), giving educational agencies, local governments, and nonprofits more funding opportunities to create and upgrade sports facilities while growing local economies at the same time.
The bipartisan bill would also give preference to rural communities and projects that aim to create new sports facilities in low-income and underserved communities.
“Georgia families deserve modern and safe sports facilities where their kids can play, grow, and thrive,” Sen. Ossoff said. “This bipartisan bill will help Georgia communities expand youth sports facilities, strengthen local economies, and foster mental and physical health for the next generation.”
“Youth sports play a vital role in promoting healthy lifestyles from an early age while teaching essential life skills like teamwork and discipline. This bill would empower communities to use existing grant resources to improve youth sports facilities for children living in areas of need, encouraging greater youth sports participation across the nation,” said Senator Young.
The companion bill is being introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI-02) and Marc Veasey (D-TX-33).
“The Youth Sports Facilities Act is a bipartisan solution designed to bring communities together, create economic opportunity, and improve the physical and mental well-being of students across the nation,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “For too long, an area code has determined whether students could have access to facilities or resources necessary to participate and compete. I am proud to champion the Youth Sports Facilities Act because it opens the doors for communities across Michigan and around the country to create new opportunities for children to develop critical skills, enhance local tourism, and foster small business growth.”
“Youth development is about more than academics—it’s about access to safe spaces where kids can play, grow, and thrive,” said Rep. Veasey, Co-chair of the Youth Sports Caucus.“This bill empowers states like Texas to invest in the sports and recreation facilities our communities need. By unlocking EDA funding, the Youth Sports Facilities Act gives underserved areas the tools to build healthier futures and stronger local economies. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to make this long-overdue investment in our kids and neighborhoods.”
The bipartisan bill is endorsed by the YMCA of the USA, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), and Pop Warner Little Scholars.
“As the leading nonprofit provider of youth sports programs, YMCA of the USA supports the Youth Sports Facilities Act. Youth sports facilities often lead to growth in local economies as families attend sporting events, support local business, hotels and restaurants. Youth sports programs create a space for families and the community to belong, improve health outcomes and strengthen the fabric of the economy and the community,” said Jeffrey Britt, Chief Government Affairs Officer, YMCA of the USA.
“Too many children are sidelined by limited access to sports and fitness facilities—denying them the physical, mental, and social benefits that come with playing sports and living healthy, active lifestyles,” said Todd Smith, President & CEO of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). “With the United States set to host a historic decade of global sporting events, we must prioritize youth participation in sports and fitness and ensure all children have the opportunity to play, grow, and thrive. SFIA thanks Senator Ossoff, Senator Young, Congressmen Huizenga, and Congressman Veasey for reintroducing this bill and proudly endorses the Youth Sports Facilities Act as a crucial investment in our communities – one that leverages existing federal resources, without increasing spending, to help cultivate the next generation of healthy, active, socially connected youth.”
“Because we see firsthand the role sports can play in shaping young people and growing communities, Pop Warner fully supports the re-introduction of the Youth Sports Facilities Act. By expanding the Economic Development Assistance grant program to include investments in youth sports facilities, this bill will ensure every community has the resources it needs to create safe and accessible sports environments. We urge you to pass this bill, investing in our children’s futures and in the well-being of our communities,” said Steve Strawbridge, President & CEO, Pop Warner Little Scholars.
Sen. Ossoff continues working to support the health of Georgia’s children.
Last November, Sen. Ossoff delivered over 1.7 million through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to help hire and train more mental health counselors for students in Georgia schools.
Last September, Sen. Ossoff introduced the Fresh Food Act of 2024 to address food insecurity across Georgia by helping attract more grocery stores to Georgia communities with limited access to fresh foods, and to help support Georgia farmers.
In 2024, Sen. Ossoff delivered $1,205,656 in Federal funding through the Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program to help Egleston Children’s Hospital at Emory University train and retain more pediatric physicians.
Click here to read the Youth Sports Facilities Act.
Media Contact:
Bonnie McLaughlin | [email protected]
JOINT PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s Office
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ABOUT SFIA: The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products and fitness industry. SFIA seeks to promote sports and fitness participation, as well as industry vitality through research, thought leadership, public affairs, industry affairs, and member services. For more information, please visit sfia.org.