Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the WNBA Announce Partnership

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the WNBA have formalized a community partnership at the national level to jointly promote and celebrate National KidsDay across the country. Boys & Girls Clubs and the WNBA share a common goal � reaching, motivating and inspiring young people through sports. Positive adult interaction is critically important in the healthy development of a child, and by working together, we hope to reach more adults to encourage them to spend meaningful time with children.

�Boys & Girls Clubs of America is excited about the opportunity to partner with the WNBA. Our organization has long used sports as a way to get kids into the Club and then teach them about teamwork, leadership and developing winning attitudes. The WNBA promotes these same principles,� said Scott Hallenbeck, Vice President of National KidsDay. �We are confident that this partnership will help increase awareness about National KidsDay, Boys & Girls Clubs and the WNBA and its commitment to serving the community.�

�Boys & Girls Club programs have long been an important part of children�s lives across the country,� said Val Ackerman, WNBA President. �This community partnership allows the WNBA to deepen our commitment to some of our most important fans � kids.�

Through this partnership, Boys & Girls Clubs and other local NKD partners have the opportunity to create an official �National KidsDay at the Arena� during one of a WNBA team�s 2002 home games. The WNBA season tips off on May 25 and ends on August 13.

An added bonus to having a designated �National KidsDay at the arena� is that local Clubs and other groups may receive discount tickets to the game and could be recognized on the arena PA system and/or jumbotron. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America and WNBA partnership may entitle you to additional benefits, depending on the level of your Club�s local participation. Other benefits* may include:

WNBA player and/or coach appearances at group events

WNBA player-led and/or coach-led basketball clinics

In-arena promotion of National Kids Day prior to August 4th

Possible Olympic or collegiate athlete speaker for sports other than basketball prior to the game

Concourse tabling at WNBA arena (club distribution of program and recruitment information)

Participation in pre-game ball exchange with WNBA players

Behind-the-scenes arena tour

On-court activity (scrimmage, honorary ball person, etc.)

Overnight sleep-over in the arena

Fundraising opportunities (auction items availability, etc.)

**Exact benefits to be negotiated between WNBA teams and local Boys & Girls Club

MOVING FORWARD

Call your local team/Club contact (see attached) as soon as possible to set up a meeting to discuss the WNBA/NKD relationship. Don�t delay. Many WNBA teams are already making plans to host special nights for other groups, and we want to be sure there is plenty of time to plan and promote National KidsDay over the coming months. There is no doubt that the WNBA/NKD partnership is a win/win opportunity.

Determine location, size and scope of event.

Form National KidsDay committee

Assign responsibilities

Develop timeline

Brainstorm promotional opportunities (e.g. To celebrate National KidsDay, kids are admitted � price with each paying adult during the months of July and August)

Start spreading the word.

Press releases, radio PSAs and print PSAs

Distribute information at Clubs and in the arena

Press conference with WNBA player

Post information on team/Club web sites and in newsletters

Distribute team materials (i.e. posters, t-shirts) to Clubs

Consider other NKD partners who can help promote the partnership.

Media

Other youth-serving organizations

Local businesses

NKD Contact	WNBA National Contact
Andrea K. Carter	Karin Buchholz
Director of Communications, National KidsDay B&GCA	Director of Fan Development
1230 W. Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30309
(404)487-5740(tel) 404-487-5787(fax)	212-407-8657 (tel)
acarter@bgca.org	kbuchholz@wnba.com