Project Play: Southeast Michigan Unites Detroit Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, Tigers and Community Partners Behind Shared Standard for Positive Youth Sports Experiences
Project Play: Southeast Michigan is bringing together Detroit’s four major professional sports teams — the Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers — to help advance a shared vision for youth sports across the region, ensuring more children have the opportunity to play, stay in the game and have positive experiences when they do.
As part of its broader work to get and keep more kids playing sports, Project Play: Southeast Michigan is championing the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports, a national framework that outlines how to ensure every child participating in sports and play has a positive, safe experience. The effort is led by Project Play: Southeast Michigan, an initiative of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Aspen Institute, and is supported by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and Detroit Sports Commission. By rallying around a common standard, youth sports leaders, coaches, volunteers, families, and organizations across southeast Michigan can help create more consistent, equitable and high-quality experiences where children feel safe, supported and valued.
Project Play team joined by Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports founding partners during the 2026 Unite to Ignite: Southeast Michigan Youth Sports Summit.
Now, Detroit’s four major professional sports teams are lending their voices to that effort through a public service announcement (PSA) encouraging coaches, mentors, volunteers, educators, recreation leaders, parents and youth-serving organizations across the region to endorse the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports and put its principles into practice.
The PSA was first introduced in April 2026 during Unite to Ignite, an annual event hosted by Project Play: Southeast Michigan, which convened nearly 200 leaders, community members and youth from across the sports ecosystem. The campaign is now expanding across the region, with Project Play: Southeast Michigan, its partners, Detroit’s major professional sports teams and the Detroit Sports Commission calling on the broader community to publicly endorse the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield holds an official Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports endorsement with the Project Play team at the 2026 Unite to Ignite: Southeast Michigan Youth Sports Summit.
In doing so, the goal is to have a shared standard for how youth should be treated in sports and play, which will help create equitable, high-quality experiences for all youth in southeast Michigan. The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports affirms every child has the right to:
- Play sports.
- Safe and healthy environments.
- Qualified program leaders.
- Developmentally appropriate play.
- Share in the planning and delivery of their activities.
- An equal opportunity for personal growth.
- Be treated with dignity.
- Enjoy themselves.
Together, these principles serve as a roadmap for creating youth sports experiences that prioritize children’s physical, developmental, emotional and social well-being. They also underscore the crucial role coaches, volunteers and youth-serving organizations play in shaping those experiences. Whether leading a community team, volunteering in an after-school program or supporting recreational opportunities, adults can create enriching environments where every child feels safe, welcomed and empowered to thrive.
“Sports are an integral part of Michigan communities, so here at Project Play: Southeast Michigan, we are honored to have the support of our four major professional teams,” said Pat Sharrow, Executive Director of Project Play: Southeast Michigan. “This PSA reflects an ongoing commitment among Detroit’s professional sports organizations and community partners to work together to strengthen youth sports and advance initiatives that put children first. Sports, play and physical activity are incredibly important in the lives of children, so it’s crucial that we make those environments safe and accessible to nurture a positive experience and set them up for success.”
“Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the confidence, connection and lifelong benefits that come from being active and playing sports,” said Roxanne Caine, Vice President at the Detroit Lions Foundation and Community Relations. “For the Detroit Lions, supporting the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports reflects our commitment to the health and well-being of youth across southeast Michigan, and to investing in the communities we call home. We are proud to support this effort to ensure every child feels safe, encouraged and supported to play.”
“Sports are deeply woven into the fabric of southeast Michigan, especially Detroit, and this collaborative effort reflects the kind of sports culture we want to build across our region,” said Marty Dobek, Executive Director of the Detroit Sports Commission. “Our work to attract and host major sporting events is ultimately about using sports to strengthen our community, and the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports aligns naturally with that mission. When our professional teams come together around a shared commitment to our young people, it sends a powerful message. Investing in positive youth sports experiences today means investing in healthier young people, stronger communities and the next generation of athletes, fans and leaders.”
“All four of Detroit’s major professional sports teams rallying around the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports is a great example of what’s possible when a community aligns around shared outcomes and standards for young people,” said Tom Farrey, Executive Director at the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program. “The southeast Michigan region is helping set a precedent for communities across the country by showing that no matter the sport, every child deserves to play in a safe, inclusive and developmentally appropriate environment centered around their needs.”
“Creating a youth sports system that truly serves young people requires partners across sectors working toward a shared vision,” said Kari Pardoe, senior program officer at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports gives communities a clear framework for putting young people first. Philanthropy can help build the partnerships, infrastructure and opportunities needed to put that framework into practice so more young people can participate, feel supported and thrive.”
Join the call and endorse
Project Play: Southeast Michigan invites coaches, volunteers, youth-serving organizations, educators, recreation leaders, parents and community members to join the movement by endorsing the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports. Having a shared standard for how youth should be treated in sports and play will help create equitable, high-quality experiences for all youth in southeast Michigan.
Individuals and organizations can learn more, watch the PSA, and add their endorsement by visiting: https://www.projectplaysemi.org/cboris/.
By signing on, supporters join a growing movement committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to participate in sports that are safe, inclusive, joyful and designed to help them succeed beyond any gymnasium, sports field or playground.