FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2023 The Foundation for Global Sports Development Awards Athletes in Excellence Ten athletes to receive $10,000 for their community service and mentorship work

Los Angeles, CA –The Foundation for Global Sports Development(GSD) proudly announces the selection oftheten recipients of its 2023 Athletes in Excellence Award. This recognition celebrates exceptional athletes who embody the highest standards of sportsmanship and fair play within their sport and community.

“Our Athletes in Excellence stand out not just for their athletic achievements, but for their impressive community outreach, humanitarian efforts, and youth mentorship,” said David Ulich, Executive Board Member of The Foundation for Global Sports Development.

Awardees are recognized for inspiring others through their accomplishments on the field, and for harnessing the power of sports to bring about change in the lives of others. “This year’s cohort is unique in that seven out of ten are Paralympians or represent athletes with disabilities. They’re breaking barriers and helping younger generations to dream big,” Ulich added.

Each winner will receive a $10,000 grant to help them to expand the impact of their work.

“Thank you to all the nominators for bringing these remarkable individuals to our attention. They made our decision particularly difficult since each nominee is doing something that benefits their community.We want all the athletes to know we’re proud of their leadership and others are too,” Ulich concluded.

2023 Athletes in Excellence Award Recipients:

Shane Young (US -U20 National Team -Rugby)After leading his high school rugby team to three state championships and being named MVP his senior year, Shane founded Florida Gulf Coast State University’s rugby team, serving as club president and team captain. In 2012, at the age of twenty-two, Shane co-founded Memphis Inner City Rugby (MICR). With no budget, he leveraged the power of social media and funds from his teaching job to provide equipment, registration costs, rides, academic support, and case management to youth from some of the poorest zip codes in America. Over the next 5 years, MICR grew to serve hundreds of students and partnered with six schools. In 2017, Shane left teaching to focus on MICR full-time. Today, the program —which has been recognized as a best-in-class model of Sport-Based Youth Development —partners with fourteen schools and counts professional rugby players as alumni. Nominated by 2022 Athletes in Excellence recipient, Kevin Battle.

2. Jacob Heilveil(US –Paralympian –Wheelchair Racing)

3. Anton Jackson (US -Deaflympics Gold Medalist -Basketball)

4. Natalia Mayara Azevedo Da Costa (Brazil –Paralympian -Wheelchair Tennis)

5. Amobi Okugo (US –Retired MLS Player)

6. Ella Rae Rodriguez (US –Collegiate Wheelchair Basketball)

7. Jessica Smith (Australia –Paralympian –Para Swimming)

8. Esther Vergeer (Dutch Paralympian –Wheelchair Tennis)

9. Jeff Williams (US –Olympian –Track and Field)

10.Kelly Worrell (US –Para Triathlete)

Established in 1996, The Foundation for Global Sports Development delivers and supports initiatives that promote accessible, fair, and abuse-free sport for youth, through grants, awards, and educational projects. In 2015, the Foundation launched its media division, Sidewinder Films, to inspire and educate audiences through films that highlight remarkable, untold stories of sports and life.

Learn more at https://globalsportsdevelopment.org and https://www.sidewinderfilms.org .

Media Contact: Kirra Downing kirra@dtlhawaii.com (808) 292-7100