HOLA’s robust Athletics Program provides high-quality sports opportunities that serve as a foundation for positive youth development, empowerment through supportive mentorship and educational attainment. HOLA offers sports programming to kids who would otherwise not have access to athletics because they are unable to pay to enroll in private programs or afford the necessary equipment. Students have access to not only high quality sports programming, but holistic support services, rigorous academic resources and much more.

Through a unique partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, HOLA’s kids enjoy much needed green space – a state-of-the-art field turf soccer field, outdoor basketball courts and a full-sized gym. These facilities are safe spaces that are open year-round and offer the youth of the community an alternative to life on the streets.

HOLA has long been dedicated to providing competitive league play for students who would otherwise not have access to athletic offerings due to school budgetary cuts, lack of space and resources, ineligibility and more. HOLA is the co-founder of the Central City Athletic Association (CCAA), which offers underserved youth throughout Los Angeles the opportunity to participate in free quality sport leagues that promote character development, academic achievement and physical health. CCAA’s leagues include spring and fall soccer leagues for 320 elementary, middle and high school girls and boys, as well as a summer high school girls basketball league that enrolls 50 girls and a winter high school boys basketball league for 90 boys. HOLA uses sports as an entry point for a holistic breadth of services and a platform for substantive youth development in a safe, collaborative and supportive environment.

HOLA’s Athletics Program promotes personal development, health and fitness, commitment to athletic excellence and exemplary sportsmanship. Activities not only promote physical exercise, but serve as an outlet from the stresses of daily life and an opportunity to learn teamwork skills that will last a lifetime. HOLA offers free structured leagues in soccer and basketball enhanced by skills-building clinics. In addition to providing free instruction in a variety of sports including basketball, flag football, tennis, soccer, and volleyball, HOLA offers a wide array of Wellness and Healthy Living Programs. HOLA’s athletics offerings are led by a dedicated team of staff, coaches and volunteers who are committed to serving as positive and empowering role models and to cultivating sports equity, positive youth development, healthy living practices, athletic excellence, exemplary sportsmanship, teamwork and students’ commitment to education.

Program Goals:

• To assist in the physical, social, academic and emotional development of our youth

• To teach students the discipline they need to succeed by working to acquire athletic skills and practicing good sportsmanship

• With an emphasis on developing young women with essential sports skills

program enrollment

HOLA Athletics provides leagues, clinics, physical education, and active camps, promoting personal development, health, fitness, and exemplary sportsmanship. Soccer and Basketball leagues are open to individuals or full teams (schools, community-based organizations, local club teams, or church teams).

• Summer Active Camp for boys and girls ages 8-14

• Elementary and Middle School Soccer League for boys and girls ages 7-14

• High School Soccer League for boys and girls ages 14-18

• Junior Jumpshot Youth Basketball League for boys and girls ages 7-14

• Central City Basketball Association for boys ages 14-18

• Central City Girls Basketball League for ages 14-18

BASKETBALL

Lakers Basketball Clinics and Leagues
The Lakers Youth Foundation supports HOLA’s Junior Jump Shot Basketball League for elementary and middle school aged boys and girls. The leagues are held in the spring and fall of each year and serve over 350 youth annually. The Lakers Youth Foundation also provide periodic basketball clinics throughout the year.

Central City Athletic Association
HOLA is also the co-founder of the Central City Athletic Association (CCAA), which provides basketball leagues for girls and boys located throughout Los Angeles. The Central City Basketball Association hosts leagues for high school boys each winter, serving approximately 150 young men. In the spring, the Central City Girls’ Basketball Association provides approximately 150 high school girls with the opportunity to play in competitive leagues.

SOCCER

HOLA provides soccer leagues for youth ages 8-18. In the fall, over 400 elementary and middle school aged boys and girls participate in the Central City Soccer Association’s league. In the spring, over 200 high school aged boys and girls have the opportunity to join the CCSA league. Each summer, HOLA hosts a soccer tournament. This single day event offers over 80 youth the opportunity to compete with teams from all over the city.

FOOTBALL

Among the many offerings included in the HOLA’s Athletics Program, students of all ages have the opportunity to participate in flag football clinics. Flag football is offered as an enrichment activity for students who participate in HOLA’s academic programs.

HEALTHY LIVING

Because healthy eating and physical activity undeniably contribute to higher academic performance and positive behavior in and out of school, Healthy Living is central to HOLA’s mission.

Through this program, we increase youth participation in positive activities and decrease their involvement in destructive behavior while building fitness levels and nutritional awareness. These efforts cultivate the discipline kids need to acquire life-long fitness and nutritional habits, practice good sportsmanship, and maintain a healthy mind, body and lifestyle.

Our Healthy Living program also focuses particularly on nurturing the confidence, self-esteem, leadership, and grit of underserved girls, many of whom lack positive outlets and safe spaces in which to build critical noncognitive abilities. Wholly inclusive and collaborative, HOLA intentionally promotes athletics and nutrition program elements among girls, and as we’ve strengthened the female presence in these activities, we have observed a ripple effect. As more younger girls see more teenage role models, they become more comfortable participating in activities in which girls are historically underrepresented.