New York Sports Connection Presents the 2016 Essay Contest on Sportsmanship
“What Role Does Sportsmanship Play in Youth Sports?”
Open to NYC Kids Ages 12 – 18! CASH and/or PRIZES of up to $500!!
Mickey Mantle, a true sportsman, once said, “After I hit a home run I had a habit of running the bases with my head down. I figured the pitcher already felt bad enough without me showing him up rounding the bases.”
Have you witnessed, or been a part of, an act of good sportsmanship? Have you ever wondered why acts of good sportsmanship are sometimes remembered long after the score of the game is forgotten? Have you ever acted like a poor sport, and regretted it later?
New York Sports Connection, the hub for youth sports information in New York City, will award top prizes of up to $500 (in cash and/or other prizes) to the the best original, never-before-published essays that promote sportsmanship and fair play in several age groups! Additional prizes may be awarded to runners-up depending on the number of entries received.
WHO CAN ENTER: Authors must be between 12 and 18 years of age as of April 30, 2016, and a legal resident of one of the five boroughs of New York City (Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island.) Only one entry may be submitted per author. For essays authored by someone under 18, a parent or guardian must fill out the contest entry form and upload the essay (but it still has to be written by the child!) Authors who are 18 years of age, can fill out the contest entry form and submit their own essays. Parents & Guardians: If you are entering on behalf of more than one child under 18, please fill out a separate entry for each child. Please read the complete rules for detailed instructions.
WHAT TO WRITE: Authors should write an original essay between 400 and 500 words (500 maximum!) about, “What Role Does Sportsmanship Play in Youth Sports?” Authors should include their definition of sportsmanship. If an author can share a true story of good sportsmanship that he or she has observed or been a part of, that’s great, but it’s not required.
HOW TO FORMAT: Submit essays in 12-point font with the author’s name, age, grade, school and contact details (of person who submitted the essay) printed at the top. Files must be named with the first and last name of the author and the contest name. For example, “John-Doe-2016 Essay Contest.”
HOW ESSAYS WILL BE JUDGED: Essays will be judged on the basis of use of the theme (30%); originality (10%); grammar and spelling (20%); emotional appeal (10%) and writing skills appropriate for the author’s age (10%). The judging panel includes Olympic Silver Medalist in fencing, Tim Morehouse, WFAN Radio’s Craig Carton, and Kym Hampton, a former NY Liberty player and current Community Ambassador for the team.
THE ENTRY DEADLINE IS APRIL 30, 2016
