Adinkrahene Sports Program: Building Confidence, Leadership, and Belonging for Youth

The “Adinkra” hene Sports Program began in 2017 centred creating opportunities for children and youth to develop leadership, physical education, and team development skills in a supportive, empowering, and guided program. Since 2017, the program has grown to provide youth with a comfortable space to feel included, connected, and strengthened.

About the Program

The Adinkrahene Sports Program was made possible by a Community Development Grant from Jumpstart Charities, and it ran from January to April 2026. It offered free, high-quality programming that combined sport with mentorship, so that young people could build physical skills while growing in confidence, leadership, and connection.

Who we served: The program reached 40 participants, all of whom identify as Black (Caribbean, African, and Black Canadian) and all of whom were in financial need. The program was designed for youth ages 10–18 and aligned with the “Learn to Train” stage of Sport for Life’s Long-Term Development framework. We had planned for 35 participants and exceeded that goal.

Our goals: Programming was culturally responsive and offered at no cost to families. We set out to:

• Expand access to sport and mentorship for Black youth
• Support physical, emotional, and social development
• Strengthen community safety and belonging through relationship-building
• Increase youth engagement in positive, structured activities

Program Summary

Three core programs formed the heart of Adinkrahene:

Boxing: Empowering the Future. This 8-week program paired structured physical training with guided reflection and mentorship. Youth learned stance, footwork, punching combinations, and defense. Reflection circles helped them connect lessons from the ring to real-life decision-making, with conversations about perseverance, accountability, leadership, and goal-setting.

Basketball Mentorship (Friday Nights). This program created an intergenerational space, bringing together 9 youth and 22 adult men. Youth built fundamentals in dribbling, shooting, and defense, and learned about leadership, discipline, and consistency from adult mentors.

Wonderfully Made Girls. This girls’ mentorship program focused on mental wellness, self-esteem, and identity, using culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches. Activities included mindfulness, journaling, creative expression, and group discussions on self-love, body image, mental health, resilience, and empowerment.

The Outcomes

Across all three programs, participants showed growth in discipline, emotional regulation, leadership, and peer connection. Specifically:

• Boxing participants gained confidence, coordination, and teamwork skills. Attendance grew steadily, and youth returned consistently, showing real commitment to their growth.
• Basketball participants formed meaningful mentor relationships. Several youth identified “big brothers” within the group, which strengthened their sense of safety, stability, and support, particularly in light of recent community safety concerns.
• Wonderfully Made Girls participants built strong peer relationships, grew more comfortable expressing themselves, and began applying self-care practices outside of sessions. All six girls were returning participants.

Together, these programs are building individual strength and a more connected community.

In Their Words

“As a single mom, I was looking for something positive and structured for my son, and boxing has been more than I ever expected. It’s not just about learning how to fight—it’s about discipline, respect, and personal growth… What I appreciate most is seeing my son more motivated, proud of himself, and surrounded by positive influences.”
— Parent

“Boxing gives me a positive way to deal with stress and boosts my confidence. What I enjoy most is the sense of progress and how it challenges me to keep improving.”
— Youth participant

“Youth are not only developing their athletic skills, but are building meaningful relationships with adult mentors who model leadership, consistency, and accountability.”
— Program facilitator

Thank You

We are grateful to Jumpstart Charities for making this program possible and helping us offer it at no cost to families.