Disney Cruise Line Expands ‘The Play Project’ to Improve Youth Sports Facilities Across the Bahamas
Disney Cruise Line continues to make a difference across The Bahamas through its Play Project.
The community-led initiative to bring new energy to youth sports and play spaces is expanding to include the refurbishment of baseball fields, basketball courts, and track-and-field facilities across Eleuthera, Nassau, and Abaco.
Photo: Disney Cruise Line
The goal is to create more spaces where kids can be active, compete, and simply be kids.
“Through The Play Project, our teams are working with community leaders in Eleuthera, Nassau and Abaco to provide youth with safe places to play, learn and connect,” said Joey Gaskins, regional public affairs director for Disney Cruise Line.
Photo: Disney
“This next phase builds on the magic and momentum of our first year by expanding to more communities while introducing new sports and strengthening bonds between Disney and our port communities.”
A Successful Inaugural Year
The Play Project initially launched in 2024 with the opening of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Photo: Disney
In its inaugural year, the initiative focused on South and Central Eleuthera, where six primary schools (P.A. Gibson, Deep Creek, Tarpum Bay, Rock Sound, Wemyss Bight, and Green Castle) received revitalized play spaces.
To bring the new spaces to life, more than 230 Disney VoluntEARS worked alongside Bahamian officials, teachers, and students.
Photo: Disney
One year later, The Play Project has created more than 32,000 hours of annual play for local children.
Partnering With ESPN
As The Play Project moves into its second year, it is building on its success in Eleuthera by expanding to Nassau and Abaco.
In these new endeavors, Disney Cruise Line has joined forces with ESPN’s Take Back Sports initiative. Together, the partners will reduce barriers to youth sports and provide resources to athletes, parents, and coaches.
“The Walt Disney Company and ESPN are working to make youth sports more accessible,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN corporate citizenship. “We’re thrilled to support young athletes with resources so kids can take advantage of the many life skills that sports have to offer.”
The Buddy Hield Foundation and love.futbol
Also partnering with Disney Cruise Line is international nonprofit love.fútbol, which will lead community “build days” in Abaco and Nassau this summer.
Photo: Also Disney
“We see play as a powerful platform for creating lasting impact for children and the places they call home,” said Manoel Silva, chief operating officer of love.fútbol.
Finally, in Nassau, Disney Cruise Line is collaborating with the Buddy Hield Foundation to revitalize sports spaces at Woodcock Primary School.
The restoration will culminate in a basketball tournament hosted by Buddy Hield.
Disney Treasure
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line’s community initiatives, visit DisneyExperiences.com.
Photo: MickeyBlog
