Seattle Alliance Connects Tempest and Cascades with Professional Sports Community
By Becca Weinberg
Seattle, WA - On a balmy July week, in the peak of Seattle summer sun, Rainier Beach Playfield was covered with the next generation of sports superstars. As they traversed through stations of eight different sports, only smiles and high-fives followed. The satisfaction of trying something new in a welcoming environment was evident on every participant's face, and the impact of sport was immeasurable.
At the fourth annual Pro Sports Sampling Camp, the King County Play Equity Coalition’s (KCPEC) week-long free sports camp, 80 kids engaged each day with different activities. In collaboration with the Seattle Sports Commission and dedicated youth-focused organizations, the camp is one of the highlights of a unique partnership focusing on diverse athletic experiences called the Seattle Alliance.
The Seattle Tempest and Cascades are members of the Seattle Alliance, an initiative started by the Seattle Sports Commission in 2023 to bring Seattle’s professional sports teams together to donate $500,000 over four years to the KCPEC. The Seattle Alliance also includes the Reign, Storm, Kraken, Mariners, Sounders, Seahawks, and Seawolves, and allows teams to work together to advance equitable access to sports.
“It’s an honor to be a part of the King County Play Equity Coalition and the Seattle Alliance. At meetings and in working groups, I enjoy teaming up with other local organization leaders to discuss challenges and successes. It feels good to be rowing in the same direction to further the KCPEC goals to expand access to sports and play for those who deserve it.”
(Photos by Jammie Phea)
Frame highlighted the Pro Sports Sampling Camp as the primary way for the Tempest and Cascades to work with other sports, in addition to the Seattle Alliance and KCPEC recurring meetings.
“Community engagement is not an essential part of our business; it is the focus,” said current Cascades player and Pro Sports Sampling Camp coach Jack Brown. “As the professional representative of ultimate, it is up to us to engage with underrepresented groups that other disc organizations may not have the time or resources to invest in, and showcase that ultimate is a possibility for people of all walks of life.”
Cascades and Tempest players taught the basics of ultimate frisbee at their station, including how to chop their feet while changing direction, catch a frisbee with two hands, and use a variety of throwing techniques. Those involved found great joy in engaging with an excited group of King County youth at the camps and described the impact as twofold.
“There’s a ton of value in getting involved in the community,” said Jammie Phea, Cascades and Tempest media director. Phea supported the camps in an operational role and worked additionally to capture photo and video. “Not only do we get to serve young athletes by promoting health and fitness, they make just as much of an impact on us by welcoming ultimate with open arms. This is particularly important and beneficial for small organizations and professional teams like us.”
(Photos by Jammie Phea)
The Seattle Alliance brings forth an incredible partnership between the city’s professional sports teams with a shared goal in mind: increasing equitable access to sports for the youth of Seattle. The Tempest and Cascades are proud to be at the table with a group of like-minded individuals, and are excited for the future growth of their mission in the years to come.
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Check out our previous Seattle Cascades articles here.
Check out our previous Seattle Tempest articles here.
Check out our previous articles with writing for CSS by Becca Weinberg here, and her work with Lookout Landing here.
Cover photo and photos in this article by Jammie Phea.
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