Marlins launch 'Sports Can Battle Racism'

The Marlins, in conjunction with the Miami Marlins Foundation, are launching the Sports Can Battle Racism curriculum for student-athletes in a partnership with the nonprofit Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). The nationwide initiative is a focused effort to provide tools and develop solutions that work to battle racism within the environment of sports.

The 75-minute Sports Can Battle Racism workshop, which will be implemented across South Florida to Marlins community partners and youth program participants, is led by certified PCA trainers. Delivered virtually, the initiative is intended for high school- and above-aged athletes of all sports and communities. The goals and action steps include thought leadership and utilizing PCA’s national platform to facilitate conversation, amplify voices and influence change. PCA defines culture as “the way WE do things here.” The workshop helps define the “we” by exploring identity and understanding personal bias, and then providing historical context to how sports has been used to battle racism.

"Sports is an arena where youth from all walks of life come together, presenting a unique opportunity to create a truly empathetic environment where all participants learn to respect one another’s background, differences and commonality,” said Jason Sacks, PCA’s executive vice president for business development and philanthropy.

The Sports Can Battle Racism program is the latest in a series of initiatives by the Marlins to promote racial equality and combat social injustice. In addition to recurring programming with the organization’s Slugger Schoolhouses, the Marlins placed a “Black Lives Matter -- United For Change” banner in center field at Marlins Park during the 2020 season. On Election Day, the Marlins teamed up with Feed The Polls to distribute approximately 4,000 meals at select polling locations in Liberty City and Little Havana. And in January, the Marlins named Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza the club’s first vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as participated in The Players Alliance's Miami stop on the Pull Up Neighbor Tour.

“At the Miami Marlins, we are committed to a culture that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion,” Marlins CEO Derek Jeter said. “With the launch of this program and the collaboration with Positive Coaching Alliance, we are hoping to create productive conversations and development among our future leaders that results in true change. We want to get to a point where diversity isn’t something to be celebrated -- it’s expected.”

More information and the registration form for the Sports Can Battle Racism program for student-athletes can be found at Marlins.com/PCA.