https://www.sharewavesfoundation.org/blasters.html
THE BLASTERS 2024 - The Battle of the Bays
The ShareWaves Foundation, in partnership with Sports Radio 810WHB and University of Kansas Head Coach Bill Self, is thrilled to once again present The Blasters: Battle of the Bays—their fifth annual youth-focused golf event on Sunday, October 13, at Topgolf, Overland Park. The Blasters isn't just an event; it's an opportunity for the Kansas City community to positively impact local youth by supporting The ShareWaves Foundation's mission. ShareWaves has worked to close the disparity gap in youth sports participation for over half a decade. Many children from disadvantaged backgrounds are deprived of the opportunities that well-resourced kids often take for granted. They invest in programs beyond mere participation—focusing on leveraging the power of sports to build better humans. They are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, can access the life-enriching benefits of sports and physical activity. This mission is especially crucial as we confront the growing adolescent mental health crisis, which rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation have exacerbated.
The Blasters: Battle of the Bays event will consist of a Blasters Kids Zone for more than 300 area kids, a "Celebrity Swing" VIP Pre-party hosted by Brian Hanni, the voice of the Kansas Jayhawks, the Battle of The Bays competition with live leaderboards, a silent auction, and, new this year, the 810WHB Fun Zone. To participate, go to THE BLASTERS WEBSITE.
We recognize the presence of a widespread youth sports crisis characterized by a prevalent "pay-for-play" and "win-at-all-costs" mindset. This approach consistently disappoints young individuals engaged in sports, pushing them away from the beneficial aspects of a positive sports experience. "Sports have the power to change lives, and by supporting organizations like ShareWaves, we can ensure that every kid has access to high-quality, impactful sports experiences," said Coach Bill Self, a champion for youth development. This event supports the work of ShareWaves, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity that provides children with high-quality sports experiences. Sports participation positively impacts children and adolescents' physical, mental, and emotional well-being. ShareWaves is driven to break down barriers preventing sports participation and promote holistic development for every child.
Today’s youth face overwhelming challenges that affect their physical, mental, and social well-being. The mental health crisis is marked by skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression, a decline in physical activity, and educational disparities that further limit access to extracurricular opportunities like sports. A flawed and inequitable youth sports system—dominated by a "pay-for-play" and "win-at-all-costs" mentality—has systematically failed to support the development of young people, pushing many away from the positive benefits of sports.
According to the Aspen Institute's "State of Play Kansas City" report, only 20% of over 4,000 surveyed youth in the region receive the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity daily, below national (24%), Kansas (24%), and Missouri (26%) rates. Active children are twice as likely to report lower rates of depression and anxiety, underscoring the critical need for accessible sports programs.
In response, ShareWaves is committed to transforming youth sports by tackling the high costs of participation, early specialization, and widespread dropout rates. Their vision is to create a balanced and inclusive youth sports system where every child can thrive on and off the field and where participation leads to improved physical health, positive mental well-being, and life-enhancing skills.
Event Highlights Include:
- Blasters Kids Zone: Engaging activities and professional golf lessons for over 300 children.
- Celebrity Swing VIP Pre-Party: Hosted by Brian Hanni, the voice of the Kansas Jayhawks.
- Battle of the Bays Competition: Featuring live leaderboards for an exciting, competitive atmosphere.
- Silent Auction: Exclusive sports memorabilia and experiences to bid on.
- 810WHB Power of Sports Lounge: New this year, providing additional entertainment and engagement opportunities.
