New Balance Tags Up with Playworks New England for the 10th Annual Playworks Corporate Kickball Tournament

BRIGHTON, Mass. — On Friday, June 9, 15 New Balance employees will lace up and round the bases for the 10th annual Playworks Corporate Kickball Tournament. New Balance will be among 20 companies represented in the charitable employee engagement event from across Metro Boston that will participate and collectively raise money to support Playworks New England programs.

Playworks New England is leading the regional recess revolution. Entering its 11th year, the nonprofit, which is part of a national organization, brings play and youth development programming into schools during recess as a means to improve the health and well-being of children and to enhance learning through the power of play. For 10 years, New Balance and the New Balance Foundation have helped to energize education alongside Playworks New England while serving as the nonprofit’s premier movement building supporter.

"New Balance is proud to participate in Playworks' Corporate Kickball tournament for the 7th consecutive year,” says Molly Santry, New Balance Senior Manager, Global Philanthropy and captain of the New Balance Playworks Kickball Team. “Our associates enjoy friendly competition, being active outdoors, and giving back to the local community. It is a fun and inclusive event that engages a wide range of New Balance associates."

During the tournament, participating teams of 12 to 15 players, wearing multi-colored Playworks Kickball t-shirts, will compete in two round-robin games against other companies. Lunch and beverages for all players is provided. From the sidelines, spectators can take part in a raffle, lawn games, and cheer on other teams. Money raised from Corporate Kickball sponsorships goes back to Playworks New England to support the nonprofit’s efforts to bring safe and inclusive play to elementary schools across the region. The event goal is to raise $30,000.

“Our annual Playworks Kickball Tournament is an opportunity for corporate teams to get out of the office and onto the kickball field for an afternoon of team building and fun,” says Jonathan Gay, Playworks New England Executive Director. “We are grateful for the year-round support we receive from our corporate partners and look forward to playing with them in this event.”

The 10th annual Playworks Corporate Kickball Tournament will take place from 12 to 4:30 p.m. at Harvard University Cumnock Fields, located at 95 N. Harvard Street in Allston. Members of the public are welcome to come and cheer for their local participating corporate teams. For more information about Playworks New England or to become a Corporate Sponsor, visit: http://www.playworks.org/communities/massachusetts.

About Playworks New England

Playworks New England is a regional branch of a national nonprofit working to bring play and physical activity into elementary schools as a means to improve the health and well-being of children and to enhance learning. Through onsite direct-service coaching and training school faculty and staff, Playworks integrates physical activity and social and emotional learning skill-building into organized activities during recess to create a space where students feel included, are active, and build valuable social and emotional skills needed to thrive in the classroom and beyond. Entering its 11th year, Playworks New England serves 50,000 students in more than 100 elementary schools across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. To date, the nonprofit has served 160,000 youth. For more information, visit: http://www.playworks.org/communities/massachusetts.

New Balance Foundation

Since 1981, the New Balance Foundation has served a deeply held mission: to support charitable organizations whose humanitarian efforts work for the betterment of our children and communities. The heart of the focus of the Foundation is the prevention of childhood obesity.

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