- April 24, 2024
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Taylor Frick kicks a ball before sprinting to first base. Photo by Ray Boone
Anna Hardy rolls a ball during a game. Photo by Ray Boone
Blake Hess (right) shakes hands with an opponent during a game. Photo by Ray Boone
Teams give each other high-fives after a game. Photo by Ray Boone
Craig Beers attempts to throw a runner out. Photo by Ray Boone
Mike Gunshanan slides toward third base to escape an out. Photo by Ray Boone
Rachael Menna cheers after a big play. Photo by Ray Boone
Sean Tomarelli founded the Youth Athletic Charity in January. Photo by Ray Boone
When Sean Tomarelli thinks about where he’s at in life — married and the founder of a youth sports charity — he attributes much of his success to his upbringing playing sports.
Tomarelli, now 28, played football and basketball at Spruce Creek High School from 2004 to 2008.
Life skills, teamwork, accountability, leadership.
“There’s so many benefits that sports give kids and the community,” he said.
Tomarelli’s love for sports and for the community drove him to found the Youth Athletic Charity in January. The foundation had its first event — a charity kickball game — on Saturday, July 21, at the Coraci Sports Complex.
The YAC’s mission: to fund youth throughout the United States, ages 18-and-under, who cannot participate in athletic programs or athletic experiences due to costs.
“The mission is about creating opportunity,” Tomarelli said.
The kickball tournament — the “kick off” for the foundation — was initially slated to be played on June 9 before harsh weather forced its postponement. However, Tomarelli was able to sponsor the Port Orange Mayor’s Invitational Golf Tournament. Enough was donated to fund 15 kids for Port Orange recreational sports.
The next project is to pave the way for the YAC Sports Academy to give kids the opportunity for “premium athletic training that is affordable.” Tomarelli, who expects the academy to start in 2019, said he hopes to fund 250 to 300 kids for the program, depending on the number of volunteers available.
“This early buy-in really allows someone like me to carry an idea and actually make a difference,” he said. “It’s a great thought to want to make a difference and change the community. But you need people to support you.”
