Disney Jr., ESPN and Local Nonprofits Team Up to Bring Sports Play to LA Preschoolers

This past weekend in Los Angeles, a group of preschoolers and kindergartners decked out in red Mickey Mouse jerseys headed to Cathedral High School for a morning of play and an early introduction to soccer, flag football, T-Ball/baseball and basketball.  

The community sports event was hosted by Disney Jr. Let’s Play and ESPN’s Take Back Sports alongside County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation LA County Parks with supporting non–profits Every Kid Sports, Positive Coaching Alliance, GASOL Foundation, LA Legends Sports Organization, and Cal South. ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna emceed the event which led the little players through introductory activities in each sport, facilitated by the Parks and non–profit teams with the help of dozens of Disney VoluntEARS. 

Mickey Mouse himself made a surprise appearance to kick things off and get kids warmed up with the iconic “Hot Dog!” dance, in celebration of the new hit series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+. 

In addition to Osuna, Alyssa Sapire (Head of Disney Jr., Original Programming and Strategy), Trevor Zemp (Regional Operations Manager, County of LA Department of Parks & Recreation) and Eleana Fanaika (Executive Director, Every Kid Sports) were all onsite to help kick-off the event. 

Throughout the day, participants exhibited their energy and enthusiasm in learning new sports skills and parents voiced how much fun it was for their young kids to have the opportunity to try out these sports. Check out ABC 7’s recap of the clinic: 

About Disney Jr. Let’s Play

This summer, Disney launched “Disney Jr. Let’s Play!,” a multiplatform global campaign designed to inspire preschoolers to experience the joy of play through Disney Jr.’s beloved characters and stories. As part of Disney’s commitment to bring happiness to kids, families and communities, the initiative brings meaningful activities and playful experiences to preschoolers around the world. 

About ESPN Take Back Sports

Earlier this year, ESPN also launched Take Back Sports, a youth sports initiative powered by Disney, designed to get and keep kids playing sports. With only 38% of kids ages 6 – 12 consistently playing sports, ESPN is helping parents, coaches and caring adults take back sports and make it fun again.  

Every Kid Sports Grants Reach Families Nationwide

As part of the campaign, Disney Jr. and ESPN teamed up with the national nonprofit Every Kid Sports this summer to make play more accessible for young kids. Grants were made available through the Fall 2025 Every Kid Sports Pass, which covered fall registration fees for families with qualifying preschool-aged applicants. 

Over 1,200 young kids nationwide were recipients of the grants this fall which were used across 22 different types of sports. In addition, 50% of families reported it was their child’s first time playing a sport, and 69% were first-time Every Kid Sports Pass applicants. 

Signature programs like Disney Jr. Let’s Play and ESPN Take Back Sports provide transformative experiences that spark kids’ inspiration. Efforts like these are examples of Disney’s ongoing commitment to expand access and opportunity to underserved kids in all 50 states and around the world – to support their wellbeing today and tomorrow. Learn more at Impact.Disney.com.