Opportunities for Our Youth

With youth football being such an important component to the Eastern Kentucky communities, there are not many opportunities for our children to grow and expand in this competitive sport with teams across the region. Currently, the established youth football programs are isolated within themselves and do not interact with surrounding leagues. This creates a stagnate development system where potential growing athletes cannot expand and fully develop the proper skills that are needed to prepare them for eventual collegiate levels.

With these concerns in mind, the Northeastern Kentucky Youth Sports Development (NEK) is looking to raise money to build a traveling league in the surrounding counties of Kentucky, including but not limited to Boyd, Greenup and Carter counties. Keep in mind that leading people in most of these youth development systems have been contacted about the NEK's proposal to broaden athletic opportunities in our area and most responses given have been positive and optimistic. Not to mention, an enormous amount of parents have been outspoken and supportive toward the possibility of their children having this opportunity. Also, the current mayor of Ashland, Chuck Charles, has given a verbal commitment of his support on this amazing project.

NEK has large expectations, and this endeavor will only fully develop with the involvement of all helping hands in our communities. We will be looking for league and team sponsors, including coaches and referees. Please remember that any money raised will be spent toward: equipment, jerseys, field location and safety (insurance). This is a nonprofit organization with opportunities for existing organizations to participate as active board members, and we are looking to have this done as quickly as possible. Currently, NEK is seeking out a location for a youth football field and thinking of other possible expansions for other sports in the future.

We believe that our kids future is in the NOW. NEK is deeply passionate about youth sports, because it is a priority for our kids to have something positive to do. The amount of positive activities in our community is limited and should always out weigh the negative choices. We cannot let drugs and violence be such a easy option. Together, we must aspire for a brighter opportunity with our communities youth. Please visit the NEK gofundme account at gofundme.com/nekyouthsports and make a small contribution to the NEK expansion.