Bridging The Sport Gap

Rural Access Sports (RAS) works to strengthen local youth sports ecosystems in rural communities. By delivering accessible, high-quality sports programing alongside athlete education and professional sports experiences, we complement current opportunities while expanding access to new experiences. Geography should never limit an athlete's ability to access the benefits of sport.

Why Rural?

Where a young person grows up can shape which sports they can play, the coaching and resources available to them, and how far their family must travel. Rural communities also have tremendous strengths: deep community ties, dedicated coaches and educators, local traditions, and generations of people who show up for one another. Our work builds from those strengths.

Rather than replacing existing community sports programs, Rural Access Sports works alongside schools, coaches, families, local organizations, and community partners to expand access to new sports opportunities.

Starting in Central New York

Rural Access Sports (RAS) launched in 2026 in Sherburne, New York, the rural community where our founder, Jordan van Althuis grew up. Our inaugural program, the RAS Girls Summer Soccer Camp, combined high-quality soccer training with our Female360 curriculum, nutritious meals and snacks, social-emotional learning, and opportunities to learn about the broader world of women's sports.

This is only the beginning.

More Than Playing the Game

Access to sport isn't only about getting on a field or court. We believe youth athletes should have opportunities to:

Access nutritious food, free equipment, and other resources that support participation
Develop confidence and leadership skills
Build meaningful relationships with teammates, coaches, and mentors
Discover careers and pathways throughout the sports industry
Receive quality coaching and safe training environments
Learn how to care for their physical and mental well-being
Experience collegiate and professional sports

Sport can be a gateway to confidence, community, education, leadership, health, and opportunity. We want rural communities to have access to all of it.

Bridging The Sport Gap

Why Rural?

Starting in Central New York

More Than Playing the Game

​

Access to sport isn't only about getting on a field or court. We believe youth athletes should have opportunities to:

Access nutritious food, free equipment, and other resources that support participation

Develop confidence and leadership skills

Build meaningful relationships with teammates, coaches, and mentors

Discover careers and pathways throughout the sports industry

Receive quality coaching and safe training environments

Learn how to care for their physical and mental well-being

Experience collegiate and professional sports

Sport can be a gateway to confidence, community, education, leadership, health, and opportunity. We want rural communities to have access to all of it.