What We Do
PROGRAMS
At The 18th Ward, we believe everyone should be able to play, learn, and grow through sports — no matter their income, background, or neighborhood.
The 18th Ward is dedicated to increasing youth access to sports by eliminating barriers to participation. Serving individuals aged 3 to 24, we offers high-quality, low-cost, and inclusive sports programs that foster positive youth development and community building.
Beyond sports programs, The 18th Ward engages in workforce development by empowering young people with skills, knowledge, and opportunities to succeed in the workforce, addressing systemic barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized youth.
Additionally, the organization collaborates with local schools, nonprofits, and other entities to make sports more accessible, designing and implementing onsite programs tailored to the unique needs of their partners.
Through these initiatives, The 18th Ward aims to build a stronger, more inclusive community where all youth have the opportunity to participate in sports and develop valuable life skills
Little Tykes & Youth Sports
Community Programs
Workforce Development
Participation Fees
We are committed to providing a low-cost program. We want you to play with us and believe cost should never be a barrier to a child’s participation. We have a sliding scale participation fee model and families can choose an option that best supports their budget.
Participation Fee Options
$5 No Barriers
This fee is available to all families for all of our programs. We have a growing waitlist for participation. This fee confirms your registration and reserves your child’s spot in the program.
$50 One Athlete
This fee reserves your child’s spot in the program and is then reinvested into our community by covering the basic costs for recruiting, training, and retaining high-quality coaches.
$40 Multiple Athletes
This fee is designed to give families with multiple children a financial break and reserves each child’s spot in the program.
$100 Participation Plus
This fee reserves your child’s spot in the program and helps us support other members of our community so there are no barriers to their participation.
Payment Options
Please “Add a note” with an athlete’s name.
@the18thward. Please put your athlete’s name(s) in the “What’s it for?” line.
at $the18thward. Please put your athlete’s name(s) in the “For:” line.
You can pay on our site with a credit card using the donation form.
Coaches In Training
Our Coaches in Training (CIT) program is designed to provide leadership and job experience for teenagers. High school students work with veteran coaches to support young athletes ages 3-12. Middle school students are eligible to participate if they graduated from our youth programs or attend one of our partner schools.
BENEFITS: Flexible schedule, training, starting compensation of $15/hour, and access to transportation vouchers, technology, mentors, financial literacy and resume workshops.
Apply to Coach
Need access to technology? Apply here for a Technology Scholarship, thanks to the generosity of the Junior League of New Orleans and No Days Offline.
Coaching Pathways
The Coaching Pathways program offers young adults the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, gain experience in coaching, and make a positive impact in their community. Coaches who are well-trained and able to build relationships with kids can make a huge difference. Across the country, there are not enough great coaches. Less than 20% of youth coaches are trained, less than 3% are under the age of 24, and less than 30% identify as female (Aspen Institute, State of Play).
WHO: Young adults ages 18-24
WHERE: At all 18th Ward practices and locations
WHEN: Flexible schedules throughout the year
BENEFITS: Flexible schedule, training, leadership experience, $15-$25/hour, community service, transportation vouchers, and networking opportunities
Adult Sports Leagues
The 18th Ward Adult Basketball League is a league for current and former basketball players looking to stay active and in game shape. Registration will open in the fall.
Leagues:
5 v 5 League
3v3 League
Women’s League
Cost: The participation fee is $100. Participation Plus is $150 and helps another member from the community to participate.
