Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC – September 25, 2025 – Beyond Sports, the NC Fusion Foundation, is proud to announce its 5th anniversary, marking five years of breaking down barriers and creating opportunities to positively impact youth through health, wellness, and athletics.
Launched in 2020, Beyond Sports was created to ensure every child—regardless of physical ability, background, or financial resources—has access to the benefits of sport. Providing equipment, opportunities and resources to youth, coaches and mentors in Title 1 schools across the Triad has opened the doors to sport for thousands of kids across the Triad. We believe that connecting kids to sports at a young age fosters social and physical activity and essential life skills that can carry them through adolescence and BEYOND.
“Reaching this five-year milestone is both humbling and inspiring,” said Mike Kennedy, Co-Founder of Beyond Sports, the NC Fusion Foundation. “We started Beyond Sports with a vision to use athletics as a catalyst for growth, connection, and equity. Thanks to the support of our community and partners, we’ve seen firsthand how sport can change lives well beyond the game.”
Highlights of Beyond Sports’ impact over the past five years include:
• Over $500,000 in programming provided
• 25,000 Youth Impacted
• Opened a Sports Equipment Warehouse and donated over $150,000 in sports equipment
• Currently serving 41 Elementary and Middle Schools in Guilford and Forsyth County
• Partnering with over 30 Community Organizations to provide programming and equipment support
• Partnering with Police Officers in Greensboro, High Point and Winston and SRO officers in Schools to provide over 500 pieces of sports equipment
• 2024 Aspen Institute Project Play Champion & Department of Health and Human Services National Youth Sports Strategy Champion
“As we celebrate five years, we are even more committed to making sure every young person in our community has the chance to grow through sport,” said Micheala Amidon, Co-Founder of Beyond Sports.
To celebrate this milestone, Beyond Sports will host their 5-Year Anniversary Celebration on October 1st at Natty Greene’s in Greensboro. The event will feature stories of impact, recognition of community partners, and opportunities for continued support to sustain and grow the initiative.
“Beyond Sports is at the heart of who we are as an organization,” said Scott Wollaston, Executive Director of NC Fusion. “This initiative ensures that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to experience the joy, confidence, and community that sports can provide. The past five years are just the beginning—we’re excited to continue expanding our impact for years to come.”