Southeastern Program of Recreational Team Sports (S.P.O.R.T.S.) was awarded a grant donation this month benefiting its Fishers HSE Girls Basketball League. The youth sports program was selected to receive a $1,000 grant from Sydney Parrish, a junior at Hamilton Southeastern High School, as a part of Gatorade’s “Play it Forward” cause marketing platform.
Parrish, who is the first Gatorade Indiana Girls Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Hamilton Southeastern High School, started her basketball career as a player in the league. The donation will directly support the league which promotes the growth of girls’ basketball in Fishers for players in 1st through 8th grade.
“My passion for the sport started while playing for the league as a first grader, said Parrish. It gave me the opportunity to learn to play the game I love and I’m happy I can support young girls in the community who will fall in love with it too. Maybe they’ll even be the next recipient of the award.”
Additionally, the 6-foot-2 guard has volunteered locally with special needs students and as a youth basketball coach.
“No one deserves this award more than Sydney Parrish, said Brian Bair, President of the Fishers HSE Girls Basketball League. We are so grateful to her and her family for their kind donation to our youth program. She is a great player, student and role model for all of our young players and an even better person.”
Now in its 34th year, the Gatorade Player of the Year Award recognizes players who display outstanding athletic excellence along with high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character.
“We are so proud to be a small part of Sydney’s basketball journey and appreciative that she chose to give back to our girls basketball league, said Scott Spillman, Executive Director of S.P.O.R.T.S. She is a shining example to the girls in our program that hard-work and determination can lead to great things.”
About Fishers HSE Girls Basketball League
The Fishers HSE Girls Basketball League provides a competitive, organized and enjoyable opportunity for girls in the Hamilton Southeastern school district to play the game of basketball. The league ensures that every player in its program is able to improve her skills and enjoy the sport of basketball. It teaches basic fundamentals along with reinforcing life skills and values such as honesty, work ethic, leadership, teamwork & good sportsmanship. For more information, visit the following website: girlsbasketball.hsesports.org.
About S.P.O.R.T.S.
S.P.O.R.T.S. is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing youth in the Hamilton Southeastern community with the opportunity to participate in recreational and competitive team sports that promote character development, leadership and physical fitness. The organization is made up of baseball, basketball, cross country/track and field, cheer, football, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, softball field hockey and volleyball leagues. For more than 30 years, S.P.O.R.T.S. has partnered with local businesses to provide volunteer resources, marketing and registration support and assistance to its member leagues. For more information, visit hsesports.org.
There were big smiles all around as Sydney Parrish, Indiana Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year, gathered with the Fishers HSE Girls Basketball President and athletes to celebrate her support of the league through a grant donation to the program. (Photo provided)