It's Time To Eliminate Social Distancing Responsibly from Ventura Youth Sports!   

Let Ventura Play is strictly a platform for ALL Student/Athletes of Ventura County to create a voice. Our Athletes want to be heard. Their passion and commitment to their sport should not be ignored. The intent is to ensue a 'Call To ACTION' to allow our children to responsibly eliminate social distancing from their sport and model the successful counties across the nation who have already done so. This is doable and safe! We as parents are asking for leadership to be more transparent and make decisions quickly. It's time to model courage to the children of our community! There is so much good and right about youth sports. Lets act NOW and LET VENTURA PLAY!

Youth sports are voluntary by both the coaching staff and the athletes. Let our parents and players make that choice! Sports are a powerful influence in young peoples lives.  Let's get them back out there doing something positive and keep them motivated during these uncertain times.  Our entire community benefits from productive, disciplined, healthy minded youth! Let Ventura Play! 

"Football is my escape from every negative thing in my life. Without Football, I am lost. Football is therapy to me and it keeps me from going off track in life. The lessons football has taught me cannot be learned anywhere else. The football field is the only place that I feel powerful and confident" - Nolen Hilditch (Ventura Football & Baseball)

"High school football means a lot to me. Learning new plays and techniques is just a small part of what football really is to me. It teaches me how to be a grown up in the real world. It has taught me to be a leader, discipline and commitment. I came into Cougar Football my freshman year clueless about what football really is. I wouldn't have guessed that it would have started to shape me into the person I am today. Having gone through personal problems and injuries these past few years have really shown me how I can overcome something negative and turn it into a positive. I love this sport with all my life and I would not trade anything else for it. Football has changed my life and we deserve the right to choose if we want to" - Aidan Marquez (Ventura Football)

"I would like to be able to go back and play baseball because it has kept me on track in life. It's my happy place every time I just want to clear my head.  I've met most of my friends through baseball and just sports in general. I think we should be able to go back and play sports as long as we are safe" - Robert Velasquez (Ventura Baseball)

"Basketball is something that keeps me going on a day to day basis. It takes away from other stressful things going on in my life. It is really important we have sports because of these reasons, for me at least" Austin Schliecher (Buena Basketball)

"Football is everything I put my blood sweat and tears into. The game is the best place to be on a Friday night under the lights, the band playing, the cheerleaders cheering and the crowd roaring.  It just gives me chills thinking about it, but at the end of the day it's about having fun and the playing with great people who you will know for a lifetime" - Simon Brown (Ventura Football & Basketball)

"My future depends on sports.  It's my only confidence." - Camilo Avila (Ventura Football)

"Volleyball is an escape from all my problems and allows me to have a clear mind" - Grace Williams (Buena Volleyball)

"Football is my distraction, ain't nothing better when you're stressing than to head to the field with the boys. It really boosts your mood" - Steven Zepeda (Ventura Football)

"Track and XC have given me a community, a family, a healthy state of mind and people who give me all the love and attention I could need, Always. I am at my happy place at practice and meets" - Mya Conboy (Ventura Track & Cross Country)

"High school basketball is the best part about school to me.  I love playing basketball and it's going to help me get where I want to go in the future" - Liam Cameron (Ventura Basketball)

"It brings people together and teaches valuable lessons such as respect, teamwork, selflessness and perseverance.  Soccer is always a way for me to let off some steam and just enjoy the company of my teammates, have some banter and just have fun.  I am so happy that sport has always played such a prominent role in my life. The friendships formed, the team environments and the many great success achieved are all great memories I will hold onto for life" - Jayden Marshall (Ventura Soccer)

"Football means everything to me. I continue to stay motivated working hard both on and off the field: dedicating myself to get better so that one day I can look back and know it was all worth it. When I push not only myself but my teammates, it allows us to grow as teammates and friends. The bonds and life lessons I have learned in the many nights and early mornings have taught me how to keep pushing to make my dreams come true.  My love for football keeps me motivated in school, in the gym and on the field. I honestly have not idea what I would do with myself if football didn't exist.  It has made me who I am today" - Erik Maxwell (Ventura Football)

Eliminating Social Distancing in Youth Sports is SAFE AND DOABLE! If you support this cause, please sign this petition and let our children's voices be heard! #letventuraplay