Latest news with #youngathletes


CTV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Calgary hosts Canada's young track and field stars
One thousand young track and field athletes compete in the Legion's U16 U18 National Championships At Foothills Athletic Park.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Exclusive: The Body Confidence Lesson Kylie Kelce Wants Every Girl to Hear
When Kylie Kelce talks about body confidence, it's not in the glossy, vague way we sometimes hear in ad campaigns. She's speaking as a mom of four (adorable!) girls, a former Division III field hockey player, and a coach who knows how much strength — physical and emotional — it takes for young athletes to stay in the game. That's why she's partnering with Dove on its new Fans of Confidence campaign. The campaign supports Dove's Body Confident Sport program, an evidence-based curriculum for coaches designed to help girls ages 11–17 feel seen, supported, and encouraged to keep playing. More from SheKnows Kylie Kelce's 'Kitchen Phone' Just Might be the Solution We Need for Our Teens For Kelce, the message is truly personal. 'When I was a freshman in high school, I was talking to a friend of mine who was a boy, and I had bent down next to his desk, and he was like, 'Oh, your thighs are thick.' And I looked down at my legs, and I was like, 'Yeah, because I'm a field hockey player.' … That is the moment where I was like, 'Why wouldn't I have strong legs, right?' And it was so obvious to me at that point,' she recounts in an exclusive conversation with SheKnows. 'It wasn't necessarily what my body looked like, it was what it could do for me and how it benefited me in my sport, and how the idea of strength and being muscular was an asset to me as an athlete,' she continued. 'So that having that experience myself, I want to make sure that the girls that I'm coaching [and] my own daughters understand that your body is not only valued by what it looks like … in sport, no one cares, right? Like, if you're able to run for long distances, or you're able to have endurance, you're able to have strength, you're able to translate that into your sport. Nobody cares [what it looks like], and that's important. It's so important.' Kelce says the Body Confident Sport program is key to helping coaches and parents support girls in staying active. 'You have so many young girls right now quitting sports because they don't feel like their body fits it, or because they've been told that their body is not meant for that sport. I think that it just speaks volumes about Dove that they are willing to put so much into this. And I'm so, so grateful to have the opportunity, because this is something that's clear and something that's truly important to them.' As a coach, Kelce sees her role as much more than teaching skills. 'Coaches are there to make sure that the culture of the team is that of a positive and encouraging environment … to recognize how they can uplift each other, both on and off the field. And so those positive relationships with your peers are often influenced by, like I said, the culture. So as a coach, I find it super important to not only encourage body positive talk just very blatantly, but also to make sure that they feel supported, that they feel that they can continue with their sport.' At home, she's deliberate about modeling that mindset — which hasn't always come easy. 'I honestly have had to switch up the way I speak about myself,' she confesses. 'I make it a point in front of our girls to model the way I would like them to speak about themselves … We talk a lot about, like, 'Wow, look at how strong you are.' The compliments that we give are a little bit different, and I feel like they're starting to shape the way that they think about themselves.' One recent 'proud mom' moment: when Kelce's oldest daughter Wyatt told her sister Elliotte, 'Wow, you are really strong!' 'It's so simple and it's such a fleeting moment, but at the same time, I'm like, 'Yes, that was the way to say that,'' Kelce gushes. Seeing her daughters learn how to compliment each other in ways that build confidence feels like such an accomplishment For Kelce, the message she hopes to leave — with her daughters and her players — is simple: strength, support, and encouragement matter. When girls feel supported in their bodies, they stay in the game, she says — and they carry that confidence with them into every part of life. Watch Dove's moving and inspirational 'Fans of Confidence' video here. Best of SheKnows These Raw & Beautiful Breastfeeding Photos Show There's No 'Right' Way to Nurse 'But I Hate School': What To Do When Your Teen Dreads Going Back Rugged Meets Romantic in These 'Quiet Western' Names: All the Charm, None of the Grit Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic Commits $5 Million To Help 77 Young Athletes Around The World
Luka Doncic Commits $5 Million To Help 77 Young Athletes Around The World originally appeared on Fadeaway World. On the same day he signed a monumental three-year, $165 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic made another announcement that showcased his heart just as much as his talent. The All-NBA superstar took to X to share a personal mission that goes far beyond basketball: a $5 million commitment to support 77 young athletes around the globe in pursuing their dreams. 'Today I'm also committing $5 million to help 77 young athletes around the world chase their dreams, just like I did. Basketball gave me everything, and I'm lucky to be able to give back and help the next generation.' The number 77 is no coincidence, it's the jersey number Doncic has worn since entering the NBA and is now closely tied to his brand and identity. This pledge isn't just a gesture; it's a symbol of his values, legacy, and desire to use his platform for meaningful change. In a summer full of headlines about his record-breaking contract and the Lakers' pursuit of another championship, Doncic's philanthropic move is a reminder that greatness isn't measured only in points or dollars. Doncic's initiative comes at a time when he's establishing deeper roots in Los Angeles, signaling that his commitment to the franchise is matched by a growing commitment to community and impact. Just hours before his charitable announcement, he officially extended his contract with the Lakers through 2028, a deal that removes him from next summer's free agency class and sets him up for a projected $417 million supermax in three years. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka called it 'a monumental moment for our franchise,' and the fanbase has embraced Doncic as the future of Lakers basketball. But this $5 million donation reminds everyone that Luka's story began well before he landed in Los Angeles. A kid from Slovenia who became a Real Madrid prodigy and then an NBA superstar, Doncic knows the power of opportunity. He understands that behind every professional athlete, there was once a child who just needed a break, access to training, mentorship, gear, or simply belief. Through this new global effort, Luka is hoping to be that catalyst for 77 young athletes. The program's details are still emerging, but reports indicate that the funds will be distributed through a combination of scholarships, facility support, mentorship, and direct training assistance for underprivileged youth from different corners of the world. Whether it's a rising hooper in Eastern Europe, a young point guard in Africa, or a struggling athlete in the inner cities of the U.S., Doncic's reach and intention are clear, he wants to empower others to dream as big as he once did. At only 26, Luka Doncic is already cementing a legacy that extends well beyond basketball courts. He's not just the future of the Lakers, he's becoming a global ambassador for sport, character, and hope. And for 77 kids around the world, he's now the reason they get to keep chasing story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.


Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
The 11 biggest sporting prodigies ready to dominate the world and why you need to know about them: Lewis Hamilton's 14-year-old heir, a sprinter breaking Usain Bolt's records at 16, Man City's next wonderkid and more
The mantle of a sporting prodigy is hard-earned - but there is a danger. Down the years it is a story of many anointed, and few are the real deal. Often a burden as much as a recognition of extreme, nascent talent, but it remains the title every young boy or girl aims to have bestowed upon them. The jewel in the crown, the future star, the one to pin your club, country or personal hopes and dreams on for the next decade or more.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic Earns Praise for Surprising $5 Million Decision Following Lakers Extension
Luka Doncic Earns Praise for Surprising $5 Million Decision Following Lakers Extension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a move widely expected, the Los Angeles Lakers and star point guard Luka Doncic officially agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract extension on Saturday. The deal includes a player option for the 2028 season, potentially allowing Doncic to sign another long-term contract before turning 30. Doncic announced the news himself on social media, writing: 'I just signed my extension with the Lakers. Excited to keep working to bring championships to LA and make Laker Nation proud. Grateful to the Lakers, my teammates, and all the fans who've shown so much love since day one. This is just the beginning.' Alongside the contract news, Doncic also revealed a surprise that drew widespread praise: he is donating $5 million to support 77 young athletes around the world in chasing their dreams. 'Today I'm also committing $5 million to help 77 young athletes around the world chase their dreams, just like I did,' Doncic shared. 'Basketball gave me everything, and I'm lucky to be able to give back and help the next generation.' "HUMANITARIAN LUKA," a fan said. Someone else added, "Perfect example of the next generation of athletes leading by example. This is the start of many great contributions." Another person wrote, "This is an incredible gesture Luka. Great to see." "A man of the people !! Ton of a respect, congratulations," one more fan commented. Doncic was traded to the Lakers in one of the most shocking midseason moves in NBA history. Out of the blue, early on Feb. 2, the Mavericks dealt Doncic to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and draft compensation. After spending the second half of the season alongside LeBron James, Doncic is now positioned as the Lakers' next face of the franchise — and he's still just 26 years story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.