High school booster clubs across the country help sports teams when they need a little extra to perform at their best. At Brooks, we know there are amazing teams across the U.S. and Canada that could use just a little boost (or a big one!), which is why we’re excited to announce .
We’ve recognized dozens of the country’s most inspiring coaches through our , but over the years, we’ve heard from many coaches and schools in the need of assistance that goes beyond the award itself; with pay-to-play fees, transportation costs meet entry fees, coaches and athletic directors have a lot to budget for each season. To help those teams, we created the Booster Club so that more young runners can sign up, go to meets, and compete in the sport we love most. Each team selected for a Brooks Booster Club grant will receive gear to outfit their team including training and racing shoes, uniforms, and sweats. In addition, Brooks will give each team $2,000 to help offset team expenses.
If you’re on a team that could use some help or know of one, ask the coach or athletic director to submit an application at . We’ll take applications now through May 1 and evaluate them before notifying the 25 Booster Club recipients in June.
Want to join the club and pay it forward? Proceeds from our recent centennial book “Running Through the First 100 Years” as well as the proceeds from some awesome swag items on brooksrunning.com (coming soon!) will go back to the program. If we raise enough money, we’ll hook up another deserving team in U.S. or Canada. You can purchase the book now for and from the .
We’re all in for high school runners and want to see more young athletes discover the sport all of us love so much. Furthering that commitment, we’re expanding our search for the 2015 Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year to Canada! Last year, we recognized whose coaching career has been defined by paving a path for young runners in our sport and providing opportunities, particularly for girls, to experience success and a team in running.
This year, we’ll crown our overall winner and give them $10,000 in gear and $2,500 for team expenses, a trip for two to , and a spot in our . We’ll also recognize 12 of their peers from the U.S. and Canada as finalists who will get $5,000 in gear and $500 for team expenses. Anyone can nominate, so be sure to submit yours . Nominations close May 1.