Teen Sportsmanship Rewarded in New Contest!

New York Sports Connection, hub for NYC youth sports, funding $500 prizes in Teen Sportsmanship Essay Contest.

You've probably told your kids that it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game, right? That's more true than ever, thanks to New York Sports Connection. The local web-based hub for youth sports has raised $1,210 of its $2,495 Indiegogo goal to present a sportsmanship essay contest for City youth ages 12 through 18. The crowd funding campaign runs through April 9, 2015. The student essay contest will encourage young people to learn about and promote the values of sportsmanship and fair play. 

"Our goal is to present $500 prizes for the best essay in several age groups," says New York Sports Connection's founder, Aaron Finkel, of Manhattan. "We're very pleased that we have fully funded two prizes and we're on our way to a third." Donations are being accepted at igg.me/at/sportsmanship-essay-contest.

"It seems as though many young athletes are overly concerned with winning at all costs," says Finkel, who was inspired to launch New York Sports Connection when he missed the sign-up date for a sports program that his son wanted to join. "As a father myself, I want to teach my kids about the importance of being a good sport. We're excited to use the essay contest as a way to promote the value of sportsmanship among student athletes throughout the five boroughs. These are skills they will use throughout their lives, not just in sports."

To enter the contest, a writer must be between 12 and 18 years of age, and a legal resident of New York City. Essays must be between 400 and 500 words in length, and composed entirely by the student. "Having your mom write your sportsmanship essay would definitely not be an example of good sportsmanship," Finkel laughs. The essays will be judged by a panel of experts to be announced. Prizes will depend on the amount of money raised in the Indiegogo campaign and the number of winning entries in each category. Entries are being accepted at newyorksportsconnection.com/2015-essay-contest through April 30, 2015. The contest is presented with support from CityMD Urgent Care.