The Florida Sports Foundation (FSF), in partnership with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Florida Department of Education (DOE), has launched a statewide initiative to bring National Governing Body (NGB) sport development programs into Florida schools. By combining each partner’s strengths, the initiative gives students hands-on learning opportunities, promotes physical literacy, improves health outcomes, and creates pathways from grassroots participation to competitive sports through FSF events. The result is high-quality, age-appropriate programming that encourages daily movement, nutrition awareness, and lifelong healthy habits.
Why it matters. Many Florida schools face resource constraints that limit their ability to deliver engaging, inclusive physical activity programs. NGBs have developed structured programs designed to introduce children to fundamental sport skills, encourage activity, and build health-conscious behaviors. This initiative closes that gap with a sustainable, coordinated approach that aligns sport participation with health promotion and educational outcomes.
Our goals. Increase awareness of physical activity and nutrition standards in Florida schools; partner with DOH to recognize schools whose students actively participate in PE and meet health objectives; introduce NGB programs and encourage fun, inclusive participation; create competitive pathways in Year 2 when track and field is reintroduced into the Sunshine State Games; and offer a summer event for the pilot district to engage students right away.
How it works. Each partner brings a distinct strength. DOE provides access to schools, curriculum alignment, and teacher training. DOH reinforces health promotion and wellness education and supports program evaluation. FSF serves as the liaison between schools and NGBs, integrating programming into statewide competitions, events, and public awareness campaigns. The NGBs provide structured programs, training, and reporting on participation. A sample program is USA Track & Field’s RunJumpThrow (RJT), a youth program for ages 6–12 that develops physical literacy through running, jumping, and throwing. Delivered with The Hershey Company and supported by SHAPE America, RJT keeps participation fun and inclusive regardless of athletic ability.
Rollout. In Year 1, FSF pilots RJT in a selected school district with a March rollout, hosts a summer event to build excitement, and integrates DOH health messaging and DOE curriculum standards. In Year 2 and beyond, successful programs scale statewide, track and field returns to the Sunshine State Games to create competitive pathways, and an FSF–DOH–DOE working group coordinates delivery and an annual “Florida Schools Sports Challenge.” Once the curriculum is finalized, the program requires only a manageable weekly time commitment built into PE classes or before/after-school activities.
The impact. Students gain access to new sports, stronger physical literacy, and better health and engagement. Schools receive low-cost programming aligned with DOE and health standards, plus teacher and coach capacity building. Communities see healthier populations, stronger ties to local sports, and pathways to competition. And Florida strengthens the integration of health, education, and sport — reinforcing its leadership in youth sports and wellness.
This initiative also advances the Foundation’s statutory mission under Section 288.1229, Florida Statutes, which establishes FSF 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.