Resolution 230791

..Title Recognizing and Honoring the Philadelphia Express Track Club for over 30 years of service to the youth of Philadelphia, and their efforts to provide youth in the area access to a sporting program which emphasizes the values support, teamwork, and sportsmanship. ..Body WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Express Track Club is a nonprofit organization which began in 1974 known as the Northwest Philadelphia Pioneers. In 1978, the organization made changes to provide a new, full year program. This allowed the youth of the organization to help remodel, and create a name, colors, and program which was made to support them and their relationship to youth sports and their City; and WHEREAS, The goals of the Philadelphia Express Track Club is to encourage and support youth athletes in Philadelphia, by providing them access to a wide variety of coaching staff and practice opportunities The club prioritizes a well-rounded sporting experience, teaching athletes' proper sportsmanship, strong moral character, as well as individual and community pride; and WHEREAS, The teams are open to all youth in Philadelphia ranging from age 4-18, creating individualized experiences for each athlete. The club runs all year round, providing three different seasons which athletes have the opportunity to be a part of. The different seasons run from April to August, September to November, and January to March. Each season focuses on a different event, to assure all athletes are offered access to both indoor and outdoor events as well as a cross country experience; and WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Express Track Club is a charter member of the United Age Group Track Coaches Association, ensuring that all coaching staff is providing a strong supportive foundation for athletes. This association is composed of a team of dedicated volunteers and coaches to provide young athletes with a strong coaching staff needed, to give them the personal and mental support needed for success during their respective sporting season. The United Age Group Track Coaches Association works with the youth apart of the Philadelphia Express Track Club to facilitate a quality track and field program for all athletes of varying skill and backgrounds to succeed; and WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Express Track Club works to support youth from all across the Tri-State area on a weekly basis. Allowing the athletes to practice, compete, and support one another through recreational sports, while simultaneously learning and experiencing being a part of a team. Serving 300-500 participants weekly, the Philadelphia Express Track Club creates an environment for youth of all ages to participate in recreational sporting opportunities; and WHEREAS, In addition to their lasting commitment to Philadelphia Youth Sports, they have remained a positive model for all youth in the city. The Philadelphia Express Track Club continues to demonstrate what it means to be a good teammate, coach, competitor for the City of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is proud to honor an organization that goes beyond recreational sports. The tireless work of the Philadelphia Express Track Club for the last 30 years, has provided youth in Philadelphia the vital experience of recreational sports, along with a team of supportive coaches and friends; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors the Philadelphia Express Track Club for over 30 years of service to the youth of Philadelphia, and their efforts to provide youth in the area access to a sporting program which emphasizes the values support, teamwork, and sportsmanship FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Express Track Club as a sign of the admiration and respect of this legislative body. ..End