Keep More Kids Playing
Even Field® Community Programs
Even Field has a philosophical belief in working with others. We strongly value collaboration and actively pursue program partnerships with organizations and individuals who are mission-aligned.
Even Field serves as a resource to help foster leadership, positive peer influence, and positive youth development through an organization’s sports and physical activities for children and teens.
We have delivered Peer Into Character® programing and The Way You Win Matters® character content, in-person, to more than 16,000 middle school and high school coaches, parents/guardians, mentors, game officials, team captains, student-athletes, and administrators in Rhode Island and the other New England states.
This has been achieved through our more than 125 “Live’ presentations, forums, clinics and workshops in partnership with sports leagues and youth groups, community and faith-based organizations, public and private schools, and youth leadership conferences.
47% of Rhode Island non-statewide presentations have taken place in Providence, Pawtucket, or Woonsocket, three of the state’s four core communities with the highest at-risk children and families (Kids Count RI, 2020 Report)
73% of Massachusetts presentations have been made in the state’s top 20 communities with the highest poverty rates including Boston, Fall River, New Bedford, Springfield, and Worcester (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2019)
Even Field presentations have been delivered to New England communities and organizations regardless of their ability to pay
“Chuck Wilson’s message of “The Way You Win Matters” has already made a positive impact on Rhode Island. Chuck’s passion for educating young athletes, coaches, parents and other adults is contagious and his “storytelling” style of speaking sparks fantastic dialogue about participating in youth sports for the right reason. We have utilized Even Field at student conferences, coaching workshops and parent meetings and the feedback has always been positive, regardless of the audience.”
Michael Lunney: Executive Director, R.I. Interscholastic League
Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL)
Even Field has worked with the governing body for Rhode Island high school athletics on several character and leadership initiatives including statewide Student Sport Leadership Conferences, as keynote speaker and forum moderator for the RIIL Athletic Directors and Coaches Conference, and interactive forums for students and parents. We also provide the RIIL access to Even Field audio-video content featuring insight and perspective on sportsmanship, character, and leadership.
Rhode Island Principals’ Committee on Athletics (RIPCOA)
We have partnered with RIPCOA, which oversees middle school athletics in Rhode island, to make interactive presentations to cross-country and soccer coaches and administrators from each of the State’s middle schools. An anonymous post-presentation survey of attendees showed that more than 97% of attendees found the information presented to be relevant and easy to understand. And, the same percentage said they were likely to implement one or more of the ideas discussed. We also have made Even Field audio-video sportsmanship, character and leadership content available to RIPCOA.
Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket (RI) (BGCPAWT)
Even Field forged a program partnership with BGCPAWT in 2019 on a three-year pilot project to develop, test, and assess our learning-based, development-focused sports program model for children, ages six through 12 (U-13). Though the initial staff/coach training and evaluation period showed promise and was well-received, the project was sidelined due to lack of funding and the pandemic. We are seeking funding to restart this program.
New England Patriots Alumni Club (NEPAC)
Even Field partnered with NEPAC on its Football For YOU free, one-day football camps for children ages 9-14, and their families. From 2014 through 2020, we contributed to these camps by speaking to parents and guardians about sportsmanship, and ways to help children get the best out of the youth sports experience. We also facilitated the end-of-camp talks given by a former Patriots player to the children and their families. These camps took place in locations across New England.
Catholic Athletic League (RI) (CAL)
Even Field has conducted The Way You Win Matters® interactive presentations with more than 600 CAL youth basketball, soccer and volleyball coaches and league coordinators, at regional sites in Rhode Island.
Special Olympics Rhode Island (SORI)
Even Field held a The Way You Win Matters interactive workshop with SORI’s Project Unify basketball coaches to address concerns that the coaches were allowing their competitive drive to influence their coaching decisions when the playoffs began.
Youth-to-Youth International
We took part in the Eastern States Regional Youth-to-Youth Conference at Bryant University, leading two interactive The Way You Win Matters group discussions with teens. The focus was on character traits they value, how they view accountability, and looking beyond rules and boundaries in deciding how to compete. Earlier, we had led a The Way You Win Matters classroom discussion with teens at the University of Rhode Island’s Alton Jones Campus.
East Greenwich (RI) Basketball Association (EGBA)
Even Field participated in EGBA’s Hoops on Main Sportsmanship Night for U-14 athletes and their parents. Our focus as featured guest was on respectful competition, why sportsmanship matters, and the responsibilities that go along with wearing a team uniform.
East Greenwich (RI) Academy Foundation
We have contributed our Peer Into Character® content at a number of Academy-partner community events such as: O.N. F.I.R.E. (One Nation-thru-Fairness, Inclusion, Respect and Empowerment), International Day of Peace, and A Day of Peace Celebration. The focus in our presentations has been on empathy, caring, and compassion, and the importance of building lasting trust.
Beverly (MA) Youth Football and Cheerleading
Even Field delivered a post-practice ”The Way You Win Matters” presentation to 200-football players and 100-cheerleaders. We simultaneously engaged with 75 parents and youth coaches at a separate field, leading an adult-focused discussion on ways in which we all can help children get the best out of the youth sports experience.
Cranston (RI) East and West Middle Schools and High Schools
Prior to the start of the fall sports schedule, Even Field brought its “The Way You Win Matters” presentation to Cranston Stadium, addressing all middle school and high school student-athletes, plus coaches and parents of the two schools. There were close to 400-attendees.
Mount St. Charles Academy (RI) (MSC)
We have partnered with MSC on several occasions including the school’s The Way You Play Matters Town Hall Forum on Sportsmanship, Leadership and Honorable Competition in Youth Sports. We also have led classroom interactive group discussions with MSC sports team captains and we have interviewed a number of MSC student-athletes.
Rocky Hill School (RI) (RHS)
Even Field led three interactive The Way You Win Matters discussion groups with 7th and 8th grade student-athletes from 12 Rhode Island middle schools as part of the day-long Sportsmanship and Leadership Conference at Rocky Hill School, co-sponsored by the RIIL.
Our purpose is to inspire young people to make caring, principled choices in sports and life and to continually strive to be their best in everything they do.
If you believe in our mission and are in a position to help, please consider making a donation to Even Field. Your gift of any amount, big or small, will be valued and appreciated.
Even Field is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Contributions to Even Field are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
“Even Field’s message to all parents and families is important. It’s about putting the kids first, and developing the whole person, not just the athlete.”
Kate Hernandez: swimming & diving official, sports parent