Off the Sideline creates stronger communities by providing scholarships for low-income youth to participate in team sports when they are most at risk. Our scholarships boost confidence at an age when kids are most in need of social engagement and worthy role models. By fully funding registration fees up to $300, we give kids access to the same programs their peers choose in the team/sport/location that works best for them. The benefits of youth team sports range from increased physical health to more positive relationships with school, family and peers. Students participating in team sports have higher grades, greater personal confidence and are less likely to engage in risky behavior. Unfortunately, the cost to play sports is growing and so is the disparity between those who can afford to play and those who can't. In lower-income households, nearly 1 in 5 parents report a decrease in sports participation due to cost. A 2014 National Poll found that sports participation by low-income students was down 10 percent from what it was just two years earlier. Off The Sideline works with community partners who help us identify youth in grades 5 through 9, who are most at risk and in need of financial assistance. Our streamlined application process allows families to easily apply for funds, and we pay scholarships directly to their school or organization.