The InSports Foundation is excited to share our partnership with the MN Thunder Academy. Both Non-Profit organizations strive to provide opportunities to youth through sports. The MN Thunder Academy’s mission is to develop great players and great people; to help all our players and teams reach their highest potential, in an environment of excellence, determination, unity and integrity.
​
The InSports Foundation’s mission to help kids get in game was fulfilled for almost 100 kids with the help of the MN Thunder Academy this past weekend. We held our first InSports day with the MN Thunder and the 04/05 ECNL boys’ team and their coaches led the free soccer camp with the help of our InSports team. Through skills stations and games, it was evident the MN Thunder Academy’s love for soccer. They were phenomenal mentors and were able to teach and inspire the participants to continue to love the game. These youth were from across the metro and the camp was entirely free for the participants.

​All participants of the InSports Day were also educated on our “Being the Best YOU” curriculum. Bridget Smith on our InSports team led the session and helped develop this program that includes three important pillars. Self-Regulation, Self-Confidence, and Goal Setting. Through various exercises the kids were able to learn different techniques to help them develop each of these crucial areas.

The InSports Foundation look forward to continuing this partnership with the MN Thunder Academy with future InSports Days. InSports also helps provide financial assistance to some of the MN Thunder Academy players through their financial aid program. These funds help cover registration costs, travel, and equipment so they can continue their soccer journey. The MN Thunder provides opportunities for youth to train with the best coaches and athletes, improve themselves on and off the field, and pursue college and professional success. 
 
Learn More about the MN Thunder Academy and their entire organization and programs here:
 https://mnthunderacademy.org/
​

Letter from the Executive Director - Andrew Deters
​
Sports have had a massive impact on my life and have instilled in me the most important life lessons. These lessons include hard work, team work, how to face adversity, and self-confidence. Growing up I was lucky enough to have opportunities to play sports around the country. Some of my best childhood memories are playing in the Cal Ripken little league world series, and playing hockey in Lake Placid, New York. Sports eventually gave me the opportunity to travel the world to play professional hockey in Sweden. Without sports I would not be near the person I am today, and I want to provide those same opportunities to others. 

The InSports Foundation does just this, helping kids get IN the game! I am so honored to become the new Executive Director, to help fulfill our mission and continue to impact kids through sports. What started as a college project with Max Smith, my best friend and teammate at Concordia College in Moorhead, quickly became an official non-profit. Since 2013 we have helped over 50,000 kids get in the game. I am so proud of the work we have accomplished, and cannot thank all of our supporters for helping us reach this milestone. We know the immense impact sports have, and we are on a mission to continue to create opportunities to give all kids a chance to get IN the game!

Each month, The InSports Foundation awards a student athlete with scholarship as apart of our program to provide financial assistance to young athletes to help cover the funds of participation, traveling equipment, and more. In honor and memory of athlete, Reiley Hoopman, our foundation will be  awarding the Reiley Hoopman Memorial Scholarship to a young athlete in January of 2021. 

Help us honor Reiley's by donating below (make sure to mention the Reiley Hoopman Memorial Fund!), or by nominating a deserving young athlete to receive the Reiley Hoopman Scholarship. We appreciate your support as we help Reiley's legacy and love for sports and life live on. 

We had so much fun with Risen Christ Catholic School during our morning program the past four weeks! In partnership with Ace in the City and Active Solutions, we helped 45 kids stay active and try new sports. Risen Christ Catholic School is location in South Minneapolis - They are the only Catholic School in Minnesota providing a quality dual language education to a diverse community of learners. Ace in the City has been a strong partnership of InSports the past couple of years. Both organizations align on the importance of kids participation in sports. Ace in the City took on the coordination of the before school activities and InSports was able to come in and run four InSports Days, exposing kids to an array of sports. Thank you to Ace in the City and Active Solutions for partnering with us and supporting our mission to get kids in the game! 

​On Saturday, January 25th, we partnered with the Minnesota Timberwolves to put on a basketball InSports day. The camp was led by the Basketball Academy on the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx practice courts. 22 sixth-eighth grade boys participated in the clinic consisting of various games and drills, helping them learn more about the game of basketball! Followed by the camp, Minnesota Timberwolves Alumni, John Thomas, led a discussion on the importance of setting goals and working hard for your dreams. The kids learned a lot about basketball and had fun doing it! Afterwards, the camp participants, guardians, and volunteers enjoyed the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game at Target Center! What a fun event and wonderful night filled with basketball! 

The InSports Foundation partnered with the Sioux Falls Stampede on December 27th to put on a Hockey Skills Camp led by the Stampede coaches and players. The camp consisted of a one-hour on ice hockey skills session with the Stampede as well as a locker room tour. Each child who participated received an official Stampede practice jersey, one free gold-level ticket to December 27th game, as well as the opportunity to join the post-game autograph session with the Stampede players. 

What an incredible evening! The Stephen Weatherly Surprise was a success! We are so proud of the Inner City Ducks and Coach Shakeel’s football program he has built. The team got to practice on the Minnesota Vikings indoor field, receive a tour of the TCO facility led by Weatherly and to top it off, all the players were surprised with new football gear and a $3,000 Weatherly and InSports scholarship to help alleviate funds to keep kids in the game! "Myself growing up, I knew it was a struggle for my mom to put together money to pay for fees," Weatherly said. "It just means everything."  We are so proud to partner with such amazing athletes!