Breaking Barriers: Providing Sports Access to Refugee Youth
by David John
San Diego is home to one of the largest refugee communities in the United States, with vibrant neighborhoods and a diverse population. While refugee children have access to more opportunities in America compared to their home countries, they still face challenges when it comes to participating in sports. This is due to various reasons such as lack of equipment, inability to pay team fees, and lack of training opportunities.
In my experience working with refugee youth, I have noticed that they have a strong desire to belong and be engaged in activities like other American children. Whenever we played games on the field, playground, or basketball courts, the refugee children would become very competitive, and their love for sports would shine through. One day, I asked one of the kids if they played in a sports league, and he replied that his family couldn't afford the league fees. This made me realize that there are many programs that I had access to growing up that are not accessible to others. The life lessons I learned through sports such as teamwork, resilience, and effort were not available to these children due to financial barriers.
The field is where barriers can be broken, and students can connect with one another. During the COVID lockdowns, being part of a sports team in my new high school gave me a sense of belonging and allowed me to connect with other students. Watching the refugee Olympic team gives me hope that we are moving in the right direction towards inclusion and equity.
At Lumiere Sports, we aim to provide greater access to sports leagues for refugee youth. We have partnered with other organizations to start refugee sports teams that will participate in local and state-wide tournaments. We will provide gear and other resources through funding from our generous donors. We will also offer free coaching sessions and practices to expose these children to different sports and the life lessons that come with them. In doing so, we hope to contribute towards creating a more equitable and equal society for all.
