Buffalo: Brown announces city's first spring session of Game Changers youth basketball program

City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced registration is open for the inaugural spring session of the Game Changers youth basketball program.

“This marks an expansion of this extremely successful program my administration launched in 2013,” he said. “By adding spring and fall outdoor sessions, hundreds more young boys and girls will be able to take part. Game Changers is much more than a basketball program. Game Changers offers city youth a free, safe environment to play ball and learn critical life skills.”

The program has historically been offered as a single, six-week session held in late fall at the Delavan/Grider and Belle community centers.

Game Changers 2021 will kick-off its first spring season basketball drills/skills and mentoring program in May. The sessions will take place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturdays, May 1-22, at Masten Park. Rain dates will be 2-5 p.m. Sundays.

In addition to developing basketball skills, Game Changers participants will meet local elected officials, educators and entrepreneurs. The pandemic has especially impacted the lives of youth, and Game Changers will provide “game-changing” messages from community leaders who inspire kids and teens to achieve their athletic and academic goals.

This free motivational program promotes the importance of safe sports play while teaching youth about the importance of fostering positive relationships with adults, mentors and peers.

“Buffalo PAL is excited to once again partner with Mayor Brown and the City of Buffalo to offer this critical program to our youth,” PAL Executive Director Nekia Kemp said. “This program will get our youth moving and motivated to stay active the entire summer, while receiving positive reinforcement and career exploration with adult mentors.”

Since its inception in 2013, more than 1,500 City of Buffalo youth have taken part in Game Changers sessions. For more information or online registration, visit https://buffalopal.com/game-changers-program. Only 100 slots are available.