Vinny Dong testifies in support of Resolution 32 on youth sports funding
Vinny Dong, a high school sophomore, testifies in support of Resolution 32-2026, citing PSAL underfunding and inequitable sports access for small schools. He also describes overcrowded and run-down conditions at his Saturday Night Lights program facility.
Good afternoon.
My name is Vinny Dong, and I'm a sophomore at Queens High School for the Sciences.
I'm here to talk about the importance of youth sport and this regards to Resolution 32-2026.
It is beyond essential in this day of age for youth to be able to participate in a quality sports program, whether that is through public schools or through NYC parks.
I believe it is essential for the city council and the city to advance youth sports.
As a current student in the New York City public school system, PSAL is consistently underfunded.
PSAL is the only way, one of the only ways we could get into varsity or junior varsity sports.
And the way that the organization funds teams,
in regards to big schools, small schools, where they're located within the boroughs is extremely inequitable.
And often small schools or neighborhoods with smaller student counts are often
not able to offer a diverse or any sports teams and that is very inequitable within New York City schools.
Now on the other part with NYC Parks and specifically the Saturday Night Light programs, there's a huge disparity in the amount of
location and the type of programming offered by this program within New York City.
For example, I go to the Saturday Night Light program at Al Ortiz Recreational Facility.
The facility gymnasium is very apparently run down.
We are very overcrowded and it is very clear that
immediate action or more programs should be opened up to help this effort.
Thank you.