Virginia AHPERD_SpringSummer2026

so students can easily access the form. The closet or ganizer (teacher in charge) can get in contact with the students via email and set up a discreet time for them to utilize the closet. Equipment should be categorized by sports and size, having all equipment for each sport in its own section and sorted by size. This allows stu dents to be efficient while shopping, as well as helps with inventory. 3. Inventory Management: Keeping track of the items you need will help to identify what types of donations you will ask for, as well as what equipment is checked out. Having an inventory log is a good way to manage the equipment going in and out. If you digitally cre ate one, you can edit the name of the students next to what equipment they borrow or keep. This allows you to recognize areas of need, so you can target specific sport donations during your next drive. You should also note the quality of the equipment when it is donated, and when it is returned, so you can estimate how much longer it can remain in your closet. Ensuring the equip ment quality is safe enough for students to use should be a top priority. 4. Support: Local businesses, families, and youth sport organizations can provide ongoing support. Parents’ and administration support is essential to help provide donation opportunities. You can do this by recruiting students and parent volunteers to help run the closet, and in turn, you can gain community support. High lighting your successes on a social media page or web site is a good way to showcase what you are doing and solicit more donations. By using social media, you can also highlight big donors, and areas of support such as administrator and parent volunteers. Conclusion As youth sports become increasingly expensive, financial barriers limit opportunities that shape children’s physical health, social development, and overall well-being (Pan dya, 2021). Research demonstrates that children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds want to participate in sports, are interested and motivated, but are restricted by costs (Rittsteiger et al., 2021). Implementing an athletic resource closet is a practical, sustainable, and research supported approach that removes barriers and gives all students the chance to participate. By following resource programs like Catie’s Closet (n.d.), the Stafford County Public Schools Empower Hub (n.d.), and Högman and col leagues (2024) Equipment Lending Libraries, schools can create an environment where every child has access to re sources that promote health and physical activity. Creating an athletic resource closet does more than provide gear, it provides opportunity, equity, and a chance for every stu dent to belong.

Schools Empower Hub (n.d.) operates similarly, allowing students to receive essential personal items without stig ma. These programs reinforce that when students’ basic needs are met, they show better attendance, stronger self image, and improved overall performance. Also related to basic needs, research indicates that participation in a school breakfast program improved both academic per formance and attendance, showing how access to support can meaningfully shape student success (Chandrasekhar et al., 2023). An athletic resource closet functions on this same principle: when schools help to remove barriers, their students thrive. An athletic resource closet is a direct, evidence-based solution that schools can implement with minimal cost and maximum impact. How you can implement an athletic resource closet: Tips for success An athletic resource closet can be modeled after re source programs that already exist (Catie’s Closet, n.d.; Stafford County Public Schools Empower Hub, n.d.). The goal is simple: to ensure every student has what they need to participate in sports. The following four tips are pro vided to help you implement an athletic resource closet in your school. In addition, Figure 1 outlines a step-by-step checklist to guide your process of setting up an athletic re source closet. 1. Collection of Donations: Schools can gather gently used or new sports gear through donation drives, partner ships with community organizations, sporting goods stores, or local recreation leagues. Similar to the Catie’s Closet (n.d.) donation model, clear guidelines can help maintain quality and safety. Schools can partner with local sports teams or organizations, to work on the do nation of equipment from people in the community. This could include flyers being sent to all players/par ents for the leagues, having donation bins at local tour naments, and posting on social media accounts ask ing for donations. The school could have a year-round donation bin, but also have seasonal donation drives during periods where new sports seasons are starting, after big holidays, and at the beginning and end of each year, when students tend to get new equipment. An other way to reach the community would be to reach out to local colleges and have them advertise it to their students and sports teams, as well as emphasizing the donations to seniors, who may not need their gear if they are not playing in college. 2. Organization and Access: The closet should be ar ranged like a small store where students can “shop” privately and without stigma. A confidential request form ensures students maintain dignity while access ing resources. The request form can be advertised around the school, and QR codes can be posted online

30 • Virginia AHPERD • SPRING/SUMMER 2026