Press Release

WASHINGTON D.C. –  The Trump Administration has named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s chief development and public affairs officer, Julie Teer, to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. Each Administration since President Dwight Eisenhower has convened a Council on Fitness that has been charged with focusing on various fitness, sports, and nutrition initiatives.  The Council was originally founded in 1956 as the “President’s Council on Youth Fitness.”   

Today’s Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Council is focused on reversing the declining trend of youth sports participation. The Council aims to ensure that all American children are given the opportunity to compete and gain the developmental benefits of participating in sports.  Sports participation and physical activity is fundamental for positive youth development practices that enable young people to achieve a successful future. Other members of the Council include New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick, professional golfer Natalie Gulbis, and Dr. Mehmet Oz.

“Together these men and women will advance the President’s mission of expanding youth sports participation across our country – only 37% of children play in team sports today. We will reverse this trend, and ensure all American children have the opportunity to participate and compete in sports,” said Ivanka Trump, Advisor to the President.

For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have provided programs and high-yield experiences that level the playing field for kids in all communities, regardless of circumstance, and build resilient young people with the critical skills necessary to reach their full potential. The youth development organization serves more than 4 million kids and teens, and is focused on programs that help young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors to nurture their well-being, set personal goals and grow into self-sufficient adults. Boys & Girls Clubs are located in nearly every Congressional district around the country.

“I am honored to serve on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition to help engage, educate and empower efforts to build a healthier tomorrow for our country,” said Teer. “Participation in sports can help build resiliency, collaboration and critical leadership skills that will enable kids and teens to reach their full potential to become successful adults. Together, we hope to inspire more young people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to jumpstart or maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

With many young people lacking adequate opportunities for sports, physical education and recess, Boys & Girls Clubs offer fun, creative ways for youth of all skills and fitness levels to get moving.  Regularly attending Boys & Girls Club members report higher levels of daily physical activity than their peers nationally, according to the organization’s 2017 National Outcomes report. Teer’s expertise will inform the Council’s national strategy to expand youth sports participation, to encourage regular physical activity and promote good nutrition for all Americans.

To learn more about the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition got to www.whitehouse.gov.

Media Contacts

Sara Leutzinger
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
sleutzinger@bgca.org