WTHS Set to 'Take Back Sports'

Washington Township High School Selected One of 11 Schools to Pilot ESPN, Positive Coaching Alliance’s Take Back Sports Series

Program will equip parents, coaches, school leaders with tools to create a more positive high school sports experience; kickoff pep rally set for August 12th

For Immediate Release
August 5, 2026

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Washington Township High School has been selected as one of just 11 high schools across the country to participate in the inaugural Take Back Sports Back-to-School Program, a national initiative led by ESPN in collaboration with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to strengthen youth sports culture and improve the experience for athletes, parents, coaches, and school communities.

The launching this fall recognizes WTHS’s longstanding commitment to creating an environment where student-athletes can thrive both on and off the field. As one of only 11 participating schools nationwide, Washington Township will help lead a first-of-its-kind effort to engage parents, support coaches, and reinforce the values that make high school sports a positive and life-changing experience. The program will kick off with a Take Back Sports pep rally for fall parents and student-athletes on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Play House at WTHS (11/12 auditorium). Parents are asked to sign up for free using the GoFan Digital Ticket App at this link.

"We are honored to be selected as one of just 11 schools in the country to participate in this important initiative,” WTHS Assistant Principal and Director of Athletics Kevin Murphy said. “Our WTHS athletic department has been a proud partner in education-based athletics with the Positive Coaching Alliance for over two decades. We are excited to welcome our student-athletes, families, and coaches back to campus on August 12th for an exciting pep rally to kick off our fall sports season.”

As part of the pilot, WTHS will receive a comprehensive suite of Take Back Sports resources designed to help launch the school year with parents, coaches, and athletes aligned around a shared vision for positive sports culture. The pilot includes:

• A Positive Coaching Alliance Parent Workshop for families
• Videos featuring ESPN personalities with practical tips for sports parents
• Specialized parent tools and communication resources
• Pre- and post-season resources and materials for coaches
• Research-based resources for student-athletes
• "Things to Say More to Your Athlete" banners in English and Spanish
• Opportunities for local storytelling and community engagement

Take Back Sports was created to address the growing challenges facing youth sports, including declining participation and increasing pressure on young athletes. Through practical tools and positive messaging, the initiative encourages adults to create environments where athletes can build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and a lifelong love of sports.

“Washington Township High School has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a positive, supportive environment for student-athletes, and we are proud to work with them in ESPN’s inaugural Take Back Sports Back-to-School Program with Positive Coaching Alliance,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “Through Take Back Sports, we hope to give parents, coaches and school leaders practical tools to build a healthier youth sports culture — one where every young athlete can thrive.”

The pilot is designed to help schools start each athletic season with parents, coaches, and administrators working together to create a healthier, more positive experience for every student-athlete.

“High school sports have the power to provide life-changing experiences for young people — but only when they're done the right way,” PCA’s CEO, Jason Sacks, said. “When coaches, parents, administrators, and communities come together to prioritize positive youth development alongside competition, every athlete has the opportunity to grow in confidence, resilience, and character.” 

In addition to educational resources and communications support, participating schools will have opportunities to share their stories locally and nationally through Positive Coaching Alliance, while contributing to a broader national movement focused on improving youth sports. As part of the pilot program, Under Armour will be providing swag items to participating schools, while Gatorade will be supporting with hydration resources for parents, coaches, and athletes. 

For more information about Take Back Sports, visit www.TakeBackSports.org and tambien en espanol, www.TakeBackSports/ES

About Take Back Sports

Take Back Sports is a youth sports initiative led by ESPN and powered by Disney, designed to get and keep kids playing sports. With only 38% of kids playing sports on a regular basis, ESPN and The Walt Disney Company are helping parents, coaches and caring adults take back sports and make it fun again. Together with its league, business and community partners, Take Back Sports is working to make the youth sports system more accessible so that kids across the country have the opportunity to play sports.

About Washington Township High School

Washington Township High School is a comprehensive four-year public high school located in Sewell, Gloucester County, NJ. With a school enrollment of 2,100 students, 1,200 students participate in the interscholastic athletic program. An education based athletic program that features 32 sport programs and 85 teams. A proud member of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) and the Tri County Conference, the athletic program was recognized by the NJSIAA as a School Sportsmanship Award winner in 2023 and 2024.\

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