The SPIKE program was born out of our desire to level the playing field. Literally. At the heart of the program is our belief that every student should have the opportunity to participate in sports at a high, competitive level, despite their economic situation.

 

Increasingly, kids are being left behind, or left out of sports completely, because their families cannot afford the cost of high-level club programs. Sports used to be the place where an athlete’s intrest and passion mattered most. SPIKE is our effort to reverse the current trend. 

Through SPIKE, we are reaching middle school students in public schools, through their schools. Our first event, attached to TransPacific Championships, the largest sporting event in the state, held annauly every MLK Weekend at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, is open to every public middle school on O‘ahu. Each school is able to organize their own team(s) and students sign up at school. There is no entry fee for the schools or students. This as a first step to breaking down the barriers to sports and high-level competition that exist for many Hawai‘i families. 

 When sports become out of reach for the majority, it means more kids are inactive. This leads to an increase in childhood obesity and related health problems, an increase in kids getting into trouble after school and on the weekends. Through SPIKE, we want to reach kids early and plant positive seeds, show them what is possible, and inspire them to work hard and follow their dreams. Also, we actively foster partnerships that contribute to a thriving community and generate true community involvment.