The Christian League of Athletics for Youth ("CLAY") concept started when a group of Erie Pennsylvania churches came together in 2004 to self-manage what had been known as "church league basketball" - a program administered for over 40 years by the local YMCA. When the YMCA dropped the program, there were still many churches - and kids - who wanted the tradition to continue.
The loose-knit group became a part of Right Choice Today, Inc. Christian Business Management Group in 2008. The league has seen a slow, but steady, progression from a "rec" league to a true sports ministry program. Unique to CLAY is an emphasis on competition in its upper brackets - CLAY's belief is that it is OK to play hard, and play to win...as long as you know what the real prize is all about.
CLAY Erie's basketball program is the first of what is planned to be a multi-city, multi-sport movement. Its most recent season saw over 70 teams (700+ players) sponsored by nearly 20 different churches and Christian organizations.
It's easy to bring CLAY to your area:
1) Form a group of like-minded people (you decide whether you want to run a single-church or multi-church program).
2) Decide which sport you would like - basketball, bowling, flag football or softball.
3) Determine whether your program will focus on youth or adults. CLAY was formed for youth, but its principles apply to adults, too.
4) Consider ways you can plug the CLAY program into your existing ministry activities, and/or how you will use the CLAY program to start new ministry activities.
5) Click on Online CLAY Forms and select "I'm Interested In Starting A Local Chapter".
We look forward to developing a long-term relationship where the Holy Spirit shapes the spirit of competition.
Dustin Craig, Senior Vice President of Ministry
Right Choice Today, Inc. Christian Business Management Group
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