Sport in Society�s Urban Youth Sports Joins Partners HealthCare and Channel 7 News to Promote Physical Fitness at the Boston Health and Fitness Expo

(7-3-07) Boston, Mass. - Sport in Society�s Urban Youth Sports (UYS) joined a community-wide effort to promote physical fitness and health by presenting two live programs at the recent Boston Health and Fitness Expo, held June 23 and 24 at the Hynes Convention Center. The two-day event, which was co-sponsored by Partners Healthcare, Channel 7 News, and CW56, offered an array of informational exhibits, as well as interactive and educational activities aimed at promoting the benefits of physical fitness and health. Activities ranged from expert health advice to fitness routines and cooking demonstrations from some of Boston�s most well-known chefs.

On Saturday afternoon, Sport in Society highlighted Tony Fonseca, a local West African/Cape Verdean drumming instructor. A group of his top students provided an interactive drumming demonstration and lesson. Visitors throughout the exhibition hall danced to the rhythms. Fonseca regularly teaches Boston�s youth and adults this highly active and participatory musical style, which combines drumming, dancing and singing as a holistic approach to health and development.

On Sunday, Sport in Society�s Double Dutch League of Massachusetts (DDLM) was proud to have team Rope Burners of Roxbury, Mass. give an hour-long Double Dutch demonstration. Its energetic performance drew a large crowd of awed visitors who stopped to marvel at the team�s fast footwork and impressive jumping.

One of the most successful teams in the league, Rope Burners have qualified and placed at the American Double Dutch League World Championships in South Carolina for five years running.

Sport in Society�s Urban Youth Sports program improves the health and well-being of urban youth through physical activity and healthy development initiatives. It collaborates with communities to develop standards of physical activity and health, create sports opportunities and programs, and offer life skills training to youth.

About the Center for the Study of Sport in Society
The Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University is the world�s leading social justice organization that uses sport to create social change. 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 works locally, nationally, and internationally to promote physical activity, health, violence prevention, and diversity among young people, adults, and college and professional athletes. Sport in Society�s innovative programs are all staffed by former college, Olympic, or professional athletes and has 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. Most recently it was recognized by the Boston Red Sox for its dedication and service to the community. Visit Sport in Society at www.sportinsociety.org.