The Luka Doncic Foundation announced that they have opened up applications for Stay in Play, a three-year global grant program intended to eliminate financial barriers that force young athletes to quit youth sports. Over the next three years, the foundation will award grants of up to $25,000 to 77 young athletes aged 12-15 from around the world.
These grants are designed to cover the costs that most often create barriers for youth participation such as training, equipment or gear, travel expenses to train or compete, or club, league, or program fees.
“When I was a kid growing up in Ljubljana, all I wanted to do was run to the outdoor court behind my apartment to play basketball. It was my peace place,” Doncic said in a statement. “I’m so sad to see kids walking away from youth sports because of circumstances outside their control. Play changed my life, I know how quickly dreams can disappear without the right opportunities. That’s why I’m so passionate about Stay in Play. I want to make it easier for young athletes to keep playing the sports they love.”
Stay in Play is targeting athletes in this age range as research shows this is when dropout rates peak. Athletes from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia are eligible to apply and the program covers 176 sports. Additionally, the grants are intentionally flexible in order to cover whatever barrier each specific athlete is facing.
“Financial barriers shouldn’t decide whether a young athlete gets to keep playing the sport they love,” said Lara Beth Seager, CEO of the Luka Doncic Foundation. “This isn’t about finding the next generation of professionals. It’s about every young person who has found something they love, and whose journey is at risk because of money. Luka created Stay in Play to make sure they don’t have to walk away.”
Applications for the first round of Stay in Play athletes are now open at lukadoncicfoundation.org/sip and will be live through August 20. Young athletes ages 12-15 in eligible countries can apply directly, with support from a parent or guardian. The first recipients will be announced this winter.
Lakers re-sign Austin Reaves to four-year, $185 million deal
Doncic will have his backcourt partner return with the Lakers agreeing to a four-year max deal with Austin Reaves worth $185 million. The contract will start at $41.3 million next season for Reaves and also contains a player option for the 2029-30 season at $51.2 million.
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