The Florida Sports Foundation, with the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Education, is fulfilling its charge under Section 288.1229, Florida Statutes — to “foster and coordinate services and programs designed to contribute to the physical fitness of the citizens of Florida” — by bringing Fun First: Fitness Forever into schools across the state, already underway and now scaling statewide.

A Strong Start for Every Student

Kids who move, thrive. Regular activity helps children focus in class, build confidence, sleep better, and grow into healthy adults — yet fewer young people today are getting the daily movement they need. Fun First meets that moment head-on, giving every Florida student fun, inclusive, high-quality ways to be active — and connecting sport, health, and learning into one coordinated, sustainable approach.

Our Goals

• Raise awareness of physical activity and nutrition in Florida schools.
• Recognize schools whose students actively participate in PE and meet health goals, in partnership with the Department of Health.
• Introduce fun, inclusive fitness programming and encourage every child to take part.
• Host events that build excitement and get students moving right away.

How It Works

Every partner brings a distinct strength:

• Florida DOE & DOH— access to health and wellness education materials
• Florida Sports Foundation — the link between schools and program partners, integrating programming into statewide competitions, events, and awareness campaigns
• Program partners — reporting on participation

The Program

Fun First is built on the building blocks of movement — running, jumping, and throwing — for kids K-12. Modeled on proven national youth-fitness programs and adapted for Florida classrooms, it keeps participation fun and inclusive, no matter a child’s athletic ability.

The Rollout

Launched — Up & Running

Fun First is already underway in Florida schools — with DOH health messaging and DOE curriculum standards built in, and student events that keep the energy high.

What’s Next — Statewide, for Every School

Now we are bringing Fun First, Fitness Forever to schools across the state. An FSF–DOH–DOE working group coordinate statewide expansion.

The Impact

• Students — increase sports skills and better health and engagement.
• Schools — low-cost programming aligned to education and health standards.
• Communities — healthier kids and stronger ties to local sport.
• Florida — stronger integration of health, education, and sport, reinforcing the state’s leadership in youth sports and wellness.

National Momentum

Fun First, Fitness Forever also positions Florida to lead a renewed national push for youth fitness. Executive Order 14327 (2025) reestablished the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition and the Presidential Fitness Test — and Fun First gives Florida’s schools a ready-made pathway to prepare and celebrate their students.

Our Mission

This initiative advances the Foundation’s statutory mission under Section 288.1229, Florida Statutes, which establishes the Florida Sports Foundation as a direct-support organization charged with promoting amateur athletic participation for the citizens of Florida and positioning the state as a host for national and international competition.