Years ago, I made the difficult decision to move my child to a smaller school to ensure they would have the opportunity to participate in sports. Imagine my surprise and frustration when, despite the size of the team, my child was still excluded by a coach's decision. This experience is not unique to us—it represents a larger systemic issue in public school sports that excludes many children based on subjective judgments, a practice that can deprive them of valuable opportunities for growth and development.

In New York State, and many other places across the country, public school sports teams are funded by taxpayers. Yet, the way decisions are made about who participates doesn't always align with the idea of public funding, meant to be equitable and inclusive. All students, regardless of their skill level, should have the chance to participate and develop through sports. This access shouldn't be a privilege afforded only to the most skilled or well-connected.

The current system is exacerbated by trends such as NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money and scholarship opportunities, creating an uneven playing field that can prioritize certain students over others. When coaches exclude students from participating, they are not just turning them away from a sport but also from the chance for camaraderie, improved health, and valuable life lessons in teamwork and persistence.

I have worked for over a decade to advocate for youth sports accessibility because I believe every child deserves the right to play, learn, and grow through sports. It's more than a passion; it's a critical component of quality education. To address this systemic issue, I have proposed the "AllKids PlayAct," a legislative measure aimed at making sports programs in New York State schools more inclusive and equitable.

This act would ensure that every child wishing to participate in a sport is given the chance to try out and to be part of every game—a small but significant step towards inclusivity and equality in taxpayer-funded school programs. By implementing this act, not only would we open doors for many children, but we'd also set a precedent for other states to follow, ensuring sports are a vehicle of opportunity, not exclusion.

I urge Governor Kathy Hochul to support the "AllKids PlayAct" and make fair, inclusive access to school sports a reality. Let's not allow politics or bias to dictate a child's opportunity to reap the benefits of team sports.

Please join me in calling for change. Sign this petition to support the "AllKids PlayAct" and foster inclusivity, fairness, and opportunity in public school sports for every child.