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Athletes International is a non-profit organization that focuses on reaching active & retired professional athletes, collegiate athletes, coaches, other athletic affiliates and future athletes. It is their mission to use the extensive platform that athletes are given to influence the community.

“Athletes International is reaching the athletic community with a message of faith, hope & victory!” Larry Kerychuk Founder of AIM

I became aware of Athletes International last summer, after my son worked his way on to the field. My oldest son came home one day and told me he was going to play football at the church, at first I thought that he just put together a game with some friends. I didn’t realize that it was a legitimate league, until I went to watch them play. I found out later that he had been going to the church and watching the team practice, and “asking” the coaches to let him play. He was so board waiting for the fall football season to start that he was dying to get on the field and play. They finally gave him some pads and a jersey and put him on the team. I am grateful they did, because that is how I found out about Athletes International and how they help kid’s through sports. I think it is important to understand that many of these kids would not be able to play organized sports without the help of (AIM) Athletes International. AIM founder Larry Kerychuk and his team take their work beyond the field helping many athletes and their family’s.

[ Benefits Of Youth Sports ]

The Football Camp

In addition to offering organized team sports to kids, they also have a youth football camp in the summer. During the camp these young athletes will have 3 days of training with professional athletes coaching them. The kids will stay 3 nights at the Pointe Hilton, have meals provided and get to have fun at the resort water park. Wait…. it gets better! They also get to attend the Annual Award Banquet with a room full of professional and collage athletes. Some how, they are able to do all this for only $100. per child. Any parent that has sent their child to sports camp or even paid for personal training will tell you that is extremely cheep.

The Cost

There are a lot of costs involved with sports programs. Many youth programs have volunteer coaches, but they still have to pay to have the games officiated and the fields painted. There is also the expense of equipment and uniforms. Athletes International sponsors many of their athletes to participate in organized sports programs and camps, they have never turned a child away. They are only able to cover the cost of these expenses through donations.

Registration Fees: Soccer & Flag Football $65.
Tackle $120 plus $150. per athlete for pads & equipment

27th Annual Awards Banquet:

Athletes International hosts a Celebrity Golf Classic and Annual Athletes Awards Banquet & Auction. They recognize Americas most outstanding Christian athletes. The guests of the banquet not only include collage and profesional athletes, but many of the kids they help are invited to attend as well.
Partners also receive a table for eight at the Annual Awards Banquet, hosted by an Athlete and their spouse.

This years speakers will include:
Aeneas Williams, Cardinals- All Pro

Darrell Green, Washington Redskins – Pro Football Hall of Fame

Brian Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

Bill Mc Cartney, Former Head Football Coach for the University of Colorado

Last summer we attended the 26th Annual Athletes Award Banquet. The Annual Awards Banquet, honors chosen athletes, coaches, and administrators for their professional achievements, as well as their action taken to positively reach their community.

The 2010 award recipients were:
Channing Fry, Phoenix Suns
Adrian Wilson, AZ Cardinals
Mary Ann Miller, Rodeo
Kermit Alexander, SF 49ers
Hillary Bach, ASU Softball
Chris McGaha, ASU Football
M.L. Harris, Bengals

[ Kermit Alexander: A real life story that will change the way you think ]

Adrian Wilson, AZ Cardinals

JD Hill

Miss Maricopa, Miss Phoenix, Miss Arizona

To learn more about Athletes International, visit their website at www.athletesinternational.com

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