April 30 is the deadline for writers age 12 - 18 to enter New York Sport Connection's second-annual Sportsmanship Essay Contest, which aims to promote fair play among the City's young athletes. Writers in several age groups will win prizes valued at up to $500 for the best essays.
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/15/2016 -- Teen writers in New York City have just over two weeks remaining to submit their original essays on sportsmanship to NewYorkSportsConnection.com to beat the April 30 deadline. The local web-based clearinghouse for youth sports resources in NYC is sponsoring its second-annual essay contest to encourage middle- and high-school students to learn about and promote the values of sportsmanship and fair play in youth sports. Winners in each age-group category will receive cash and/or prizes valued at up to $500. Finalists will also be recognized.
Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges that includes WFAN Radio personality Craig Carton; WNBA pioneer Kym Hampton, a former center with the New York Liberty; and fencer Tim Morehouse, a silver medal winner at the Beijing Olympics. This year's contest is presented with support from Modell's Sporting Goods.
To enter the contest, a student must be a legal resident of one of the five boroughs of New York City, and between 12 and 18 years of age by the entry deadline. Students must write and submit an original essay of between 400 and 500 words. The topic for this year's contest is "What Role Does Sportsmanship Play in Youth Sports?" Authors should include their definition of sportsmanship and are encouraged to share a true story of good sportsmanship that they observed or were a part of.
Entries may be submitted at https://www.newyorksportsconnection.com/nysc-essay-contest until midnight, Eastern time on April 30, 2016. There is no fee to enter. Work must be 100% original, never before published, and not entered in any previous contest. Entries will be judged on emotional impact, use of the theme, grammar and spelling, and writing skills appropriate for the author's grade.
"Last year was our first time doing an essay contest and we were overwhelmed by the number of essays we received. The judges and I were extremely impressed by the quality of the writing and the emotion expressed by the authors," says Aaron Finkel, founder of New York Sports Connection. "We received entries from student athletes in every borough, and this year are hoping to get even more kids involved," says Finkel.
About NewYorkSportsConnection.com
Founded by a Manhattan father of two young athletes, NewYorkSportsConnection.com is the most comprehensive interactive resource for families and youth sports organizations in New York City. Users can search for information on sports leagues, teams, classes and activities, ask questions of others in the community, and read pertinent content on the local sports community. The site's Weekly Sports Alert email keeps members up-to-date on upcoming deadlines for tryouts, sign-up/registration periods, clinics, camps and other sports-related events.