The L.A. Clippers, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles (YMCA) and the Los Angeles City Recreation & Parks (LACRP) are teaming up on Jan. 8 to celebrate the tip-off of the 16th annual Jr. Clippers Program presented by ARCO, which will feature a record 24,000 youth participants wearing branded Jr. Clippers jerseys in 2016.
Clipper players Josh Smith and Luc Mbah a Moute will join representatives from LACRP and the YMCA at a press conference featuring a Jr. Clippers’ ceremonial jersey distribution followed by an exhibition game between Jr. Clippers’ teams from LACRP and YMCA.
The Jr. Clippers program works exclusively with inner city children ages 5-14 to promote the fundamentals of basketball, sportsmanship and athletics as an alternative to negative influences.
The centers and branches selected to participate in the Jr. Clippers program are all from underserved communities in Los Angeles.
The Jr. Clippers program started in 2000 with 750 participants from three recreation centers in LACRP and over the years grew to 2,000 participants within LACRP.
In 2016, funding from the L.A. Clippers Foundation significantly extended the reach of the program, and the LACRP expanded the program to include 12,000 youth players from 68 recreation centers.
This year for the first time, the addition of 26 YMCA branches with 12,000 new participants brings the Jr. Clippers program to a record-high of 24,000 youth basketball players.
The Jr. Clippers program also includes basketball clinics at numerous LACRP recreation centers and YMCA branches, with one clinic held at STAPLES Center prior to a Clippers home game.
Teams participating in the Jr. Clippers basketball league are eligible for the Sportsmanship Program.
One child from each Recreation Center and YMCA branch will be nominated by the director based on outstanding performance in three or more areas of the Student Athlete Sportsmanship Criteria.
The program is designed to ingrain the importance of sportsmanship, with a focus on fair play, ethical behavior and integrity.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS
The Department of Recreation and Parks maintains over 16,000 acres of parkland with over 430 neighborhood and regional parks, 184 recreation centers and facilities, 368 children’s play areas, 321 tennis courts, 256 ball fields, 31 senior centers, 13 golf courses, nine dog parks, 24 skate parks, 61 swimming pools, 12 museums and an urban forest of one million trees and 92 miles of hiking trails. The Department also provides after school enrichment programs for children and teens including music, dance, and athletic programs. For more information about the Department of Recreation and Parks, please visit laparks.org.
ABOUT YMCA OF METROPOLITAN LOS ANGELES
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles (LA Y) is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening communities by supporting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Welcoming individuals of all ages, faiths and backgrounds, the Y is committed to nurturing everyone’s potential in spirit, mind and body. No one is turned away membership due to the inability to pay. Serving Los Angeles since 1882, the LA Y is comprised of 26 branches and three resident camps that stretch across 100 miles of Los Angeles County. Through unique programs and services, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles provides more than a quarter million families each year with the tools and encouragement to learn, grow and thrive. For more information, visit ymcaLA.org.
