What began as a joke on the sidelines has turned into a movement to bring sports within reach for more kids.
When Caroline Mohamadi’s father joked that all the players on her field hockey team looked the same from a distance, it struck a nerve. “That really stuck with me,” Mohamadi says. “It got me thinking about who wasn’t on the field — and why. I realized that access to sports is still a huge privilege, and something as basic as not having the right equipment can keep a kid from being able to play.”
Now a high school student at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, Mohamadi is the founder of Play it FWD, a student-led initiative dedicated to improving youth access to sports. The organization collects gently used sporting goods and donates them to schools and youth-focused nonprofits across the U.S. and Canada.
Since its launch, Play it FWD has collected more than 1,000 pieces of equipment — valued at over $50,000 — and is actively distributing donations through partnerships with organizations like Game Changers New York, Girls in the Game, Leveling the Playing Field and Gear2Give.
For Mohamadi, who has played competitive field hockey since fifth grade, the work is personal. “I’d love every kid, regardless of background, to have the chance to play and grow through sports,” she says. “The more people we can bring along, the more opportunities we can provide for kids looking for a chance to get on the field.”
Play it FWD also aims to build a national network of student leaders who want to bring similar efforts to their own communities. By organizing local donation drives and forging partnerships with nearby schools or nonprofits, students can help expand the mission’s reach far beyond the DC area.
“It’s about making it easier for young athletes to access the same opportunities I’ve had,” Mohamadi says. “We want this to grow organically, powered by students who care and want to create change where they are.”
How to Get Involved
Play it FWD invites high school student organizations, clubs and sports teams to join its growing network. Those interested in learning more or wanting to start their own chapter can learn more at the organization’s official website at https://playitfwd.net/getting-started.
Seth Hagler is a freelance writer and an intern with Washington Parent. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
Seth Hagler is a freelance writer and an intern with Washington Parent. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
