Where We've Put Play Back Into Sports

In 2006, 2-4-1 co-founders Steve and Kerry Boyle turned a barrier into a breakthrough after their 9-year-old daughter was told that trying other sports was not an option if she wanted to play for her local soccer travel team.

As multi-season coaches and former Division I athletes, they believed in the power of multiple sports and the potential damage of specialization through injury or burnout.
Life’s 2 Short 4 Just 1 Sport™ became their inspiration to launch what was then a one-week sport sampling camp, but became a movement that most now refer to simply as 2-4-1. Since our origins, over 30,000 kids across our home state of Connecticut, as well as Africa, Boston, Colorado, DC, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Vancouver, have joined the 2-4-1 family, sampling multiple sports, making meaningful connections, building resilience, and discovering the power of play.

At 2-4-1 we have a history of making a positive impact on children and their future. In fact, in 2014, The Aspen Institute’s Project Play recognized 2-4-1 as a leader in sports sampling and invited Steve and Kerry to help craft their call to action, aimed at supporting youth sport participation focused on physical literacy and addressing a long-standing and increasing disparity in youth sport participation due to socio-economic issues. Beyond household income limitations, many cities and towns struggle with competing priorities, resulting in reduced budgets for parks, recreation, and youth sports.

In response, 2-4-1 has expanded its reach through partnerships with eight Title I school districts nationwide to provide out-of-school-time and summer learning programs using our evidence-based and research-driven signature program, 2-4-1 TOP Self Sports, as well as Middle School Leadership, girls’ leadership, and an introductory program endorsed by USA Team Fencing.

Join us. Donate today. Help us play it forward.

Together, we can build a future where every child has the tools—and the team—to thrive.