New England Youth Jump into Spring in 11th Annual Double Dutch Tournament

(4-28-07) BOSTON, Mass. � The Center for the Study of Sport in Society's Urban Youth Sports program prouldly hosted the 11th annual Red Auerbach Youth Foundation Double Dutch Tournament on Saturday, April 28 at Northeastern University. For the 11th consecutive year five teams with more than 300 young girls and boys from across New England competed for the top place.

�I think what�s most exciting about the tournament is that everyone has the chance to showcase their talents,� said Tracey Britton, manager for Sport in Society�s Urban Youth Sports program. �It is a culmination of all of the jumper�s hard work over the year.�

Urban Youth Sports� Double Dutch League of Massachusetts (DDLM) has more than 400 participants. Teams are organized by age and range from the third grade to seniors in high school. Through this program, children who are involved in Double Dutch are given the opportunity to attend a demonstration, participate in a mini-camp, and compete in two tournaments every year. The success of the DDLM has grown exponentially in 2005 with 18 teams qualifying for the World Championship and 14 teams in 2006.

�We address an important need, because city youth tend to have less opportunity to be active,� said Linda Keefe, director of Urban Youth Sports. �Double Dutch is hard work. It�s not expensive, and it doesn�t exclude anyone. Even turning the ropes, speeds up their heart rates and keeps them active.�

Urban Youth Sports is proud to partner with Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare. Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare has made the health and well being of youth a priority by working Sport in Society�s Urban Youth Sports program.
About the Center for the Study of Sport in Society
The Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University is one of the world�s leading social justice organizations that use sport to create social change both nationally and internationally. The flagship organization located in the heart of Boston, Mass. was founded in 1984 by Dr. Richard Lapchick and touts a branch in Baltimore, Md. Through research, education, and advocacy the center promotes physical activity, health, violence prevention, and diversity among young people and college and professional athletes. Sport in Society�s innovative programs are all staffed by former college or professional athletes and have been awarded America�s most successful violence prevention program by Lou Harris, the Peter F. Drucker Award as the most innovative non-profit program in the social sector, and have been cited as the National Crime Prevention Council�s 50 Best Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic Crimes. For more information please visit http://www.sportinsociety.org.