TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Parks and Recreation is celebrating 30 years of partnering with CANDO Sports, enhancing and expanding sports programs and activities for youth athletes across the city.
In honor of its 30th anniversary, CANDO is donating $30,000 to Tampa Parks and Recreation for the development and continuing support of youth athletics.
Established in 1993, CANDO Sports (Children’s Athletic Network & Dance Opportunities Inc), offers affordable opportunities to youth in the community. This successful partnership currently offers competitive programs in gymnastics, dance, basketball, softball, and rowing.
A highlight of this partnership is the Tampa gymnastics and dance program hosted at the city’s Wayne C. Papy and New Tampa community centers. The City of Tampa and CANDO will once again be hosting the AAU Gymnastics State Championships this month, bringing more than 1,600 athletes from around the state.
In June, Tampa Parks and Recreation and CANDO will also host their annual dance recital at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. This event spans multiple days, showcases almost 800 performers, and traditionally sells out tickets to approximately 5,000 spectators for all five shows.
“Team sports serve as a powerful tool for imparting essential life skills,” Mayor Jane Castor says. “I take great pride in the partnership that exists between our parks and recreation department and CANDO. It’s our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to participate in sports and reap the benefits that come with it.”
The City of Tampa gymnastics and dance program offers classes for all ages and levels, ranging from mom and tot to recreational, developmental, and competitive levels with more than 2,500 youth enrolled.
