SportsPITTSBURGH and Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania Team Up on Play With Purpose

SportsPITTSBURGH and Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA) will host Play With Purpose, a free event introducing teens ages 13–17 to careers in the sports industry.

Through hands-on activities and conversations with professionals, participants will explore careers in coaching, marketing, broadcasting, event planning, and more. Play With Purpose will take place Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at BGCWPA’s Estelle S. Campbell Clubhouse in Lawrenceville.

The program will bring together all our professional teams, several universities, community partners, and other sports industry professionals for a day of connection and collaboration, featuring interactive stations, competitions, prizes, and lunch. Space is limited. Parents and guardians are encouraged to register online.

“Our goal is simple: open the doors of the sports industry to the next generation of local talent,” said Jim Britt, Vice President, Sports Events at VisitPITTSBURGH. “Together with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania and our regional sports partners, we’re demonstrating what teamwork is all about—creating real opportunities for teens and shaping a legacy that strengthens our community long after the final play.”

This event is part of an ongoing partnership between SportsPITTSBURGH and BGCWPA that leverages sports to advance youth development, career readiness, and community impact across the region. By connecting young people directly to leadership opportunities and professional pathways in sports, the initiative builds a diverse local talent pipeline while positioning sports as a vehicle for long-term regional economic growth.

“Sports have always meant more in Western Pennsylvania, as they have the power to change lives, strengthen communities, and create opportunities that extend far beyond the game,” said Christopher Watts, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. “Our vision is to expand access for more children to experience the positive benefits of sports participation and provide opportunities for young people to explore future careers in the sports industry. With partners like SportsPITTSBURGH and alongside our world-class professional sports franchises, universities, and community partners, our region is stronger because of their investment in future leaders on and off the field."

To learn more about initiatives provided by BGCWPA, please visit bgcwpa.org.

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SportsPITTSBURGH is the sports tourism division of VisitPITTSBURGH, responsible for attracting, supporting, and growing sporting events that generate economic impact, elevate Pittsburgh’s global profile, and deliver meaningful legacies for the region. Where VisitPITTSBURGH invites the world to experience our destination, SportsPITTSBURGH competes—and wins —on behalf of the region.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania provides safe places, caring mentors, and life-enhancing programs for more than 12,000 youth across the region annually. Through academic support, leadership development, and enrichment opportunities, the organization helps thousands of young people each year build bright futures.