provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The Sanibel Tropics youth basketball program has received a $4,000 grant from the Kiwanis Club of Sanibel-Captiva Islands to support the continued growth of competitive youth basketball opportunities for island children.
Sanibel Tropics founder and lead coach Dylan Murphy, along with assistant coach Carey Galantino, represented the program at the Kiwanis Club meeting Tuesday at The Sanibel Community House, where they spoke about the Tropics’ growth, mission, and impact on local young athletes.
What began just one year ago with nine players has grown to 26 athletes in first through fifth grade, ages 6 to 10. Competitive youth sports opportunities have been limited on Sanibel for many years, and the Tropics were created to help bring that experience back to island children.
While basketball development is at the heart of the program, Murphy and Galantino also emphasize teamwork, discipline, confidence, sportsmanship, and other life skills that can serve players as they continue in athletics, education, and beyond.
“This program started with just nine kids, and to see it grow to 26 players in a year has been incredible,” Murphy said. “We want to give these kids the opportunity to compete, learn the game, and develop skills that go far beyond basketball. Having organizations like Kiwanis believe in what we are building means so much to our coaches, our players and their families.”
The $4,000 contribution marks the first grant the Sanibel Tropics have received from the Kiwanis Club of Sanibel-Captiva Islands. It will support the program’s continued development and growth.
The Sanibel Tropics are grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Sanibel-Captiva Islands for investing in local youth and helping expand athletic opportunities for children on Sanibel.