Monumental SPorts & Entertainment
Our goal is to create a lasting impact that reflects the vibrant spirit of our region, showing that when we "Raise the Game," everyone benefits.
Youth sports provide immense physical, mental, and emotional benefits, and Washington, D.C. already boasts remarkable programs in this space. Still, not all children have equal access to these opportunities. At Monumental Sports & Entertainment, we are committed to bridging this gap. Through District of Play, we’ll focus on improving and expanding access to existing youth sports infrastructure across the District, while also introducing new programs specifically designed to reach those most often left on the sidelines. Our goal is to ensure that every young person in D.C. has the chance to participate in sports and experience the lifelong benefit.
Our Commitment: Monumental is proud to announce our most ambitious community initiative yet—a multi-million-dollar, multi-year commitment to ensuring that every child in Washington, D.C., gets their shot at success through sports. This is an investment in the future of our city through our young people.
Strategy: We’re partnering with the people who know D.C. best—community leaders, coaches, and local organizations already making a difference in the lives of our kids. Together, we will expand access to these programs by providing funding, scholarships, and the support children need to succeed. We’re also launching new initiatives and expanding existing MSE programming. We have three lines of effort:
Ensure that safe play spaces are easily accessible for all youth.
Court and Rink Refurbishments: Refurbish public courts and rinks each year with unique designs to foster a sense of community and enhance local sports infrastructure.
Seasonal Ice Rinks Activations: Utilize existing outdoor seasonal ice rinks to expand access to ice sports and encourage community engagement.
Youth Sports-Specific Improvements to Capital One Arena and Entertainment & Sports Arena: Upgrades to ensure that our venues are equipped to host various youth events and activities.
Empower Every Player.
Remove Economic Barriers: Provide equipment, uniforms, and camp scholarships to ensure that no child is left out due to financial constraints.
East of the River Initiatives: Ensure inclusive programming reaches diverse communities, especially in Wards 7 and 8, through community clinics and special gameday clinics.
Girls' Empowerment: Expand girls-only programming and launch the MSE's Girls Empowerment Program focused on financial literacy, mental health, physical health, and sports.
Kids with Disabilities: Design all refurbished courts and new play spaces with accessibility in mind to accommodate kids with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity and access for all.
Engage Parents, Coaches, and the Community:
Programming on Monumental Sports Network: Deliver a variety of content about the benefits of youth sports and the availability of opportunities to play sports, increasing awareness and encouraging participation.
Fund USA Basketball Licensing for Every Coach in DCPS: Provide professional development and certification to enhance the quality of coaching, ensuring that youth receive the best possible guidance and support.
Tickets to Games: Distribute tickets to games to kids, coaches, and members of the community.
Back to School and Holiday Giving: Yearly initiatives providing essential school supplies, festive meals, and holiday gifts to support and uplift families in the community.
At Monumental Sports & Entertainment
We’re committing to building one brand new ball/inline hockey rink in D.C. in the next five years.
Ball/Inline Hockey
Rink Builds
Court Refurbishments Indoor
Court Refurbishments Outdoor
We’re refurbishing one indoor basketball court at a local school or community center per year. We’re excited to announce our first court location very soon!
A Basketball for Every DCPS Student
MSE Playground
Builds
Transportation for Programs
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We’re refurbishing an outdoor court in each Ward over the next four years. We’re excited to announce our first court locations, in partnership with DPR, very soon!
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We’ll work with DCPS and DC Charter schools to provide transportation for kids to make it to the ice to try free hockey and skating workshops.
We’re committing to building a new playground in each Ward in D.C. over the next eight years.
Watch Recap
Through District Dribble we’re delivering 29,000 basketballs to 80 public schools throughout the District, providing every student in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade a basketball and t-shirt.
Expand Access to Safe Play Spaces
Empower Every Player
Monumental Sports Network is proud to support Flag Star Football through District of Play, one of the most popular organized leagues in the D.C. area. With over 1,000 kids currently enrolled in the league, Flag Star plays a crucial role in fostering community and athletic development across the region.
Our funding will provide critical scholarships, helping to ensure that more children have access to the league. Additionally, we are committed to growing opportunities for girls in sports by expanding the girl’s league, empowering the next generation of athletes.
Click the link below for more information on Flag Star!
Flag Star Football
Flag Star Football
Monumental Sports & Entertainment is committed to inspiring and empowering girls through sports. Our girls empowerment programming focuses on engaging females of all ages through various programs:
Hockey & Basketball Camps and Clinics: All-female opportunities specially curated to address the unique needs of girl athletes to compete and build confidence on and off the court.
School Speaker Series: Women executives, coaches, and players from MSE, as well as local and national partners, will engage with girls at the grass roots level on topics such as leadership, sports business, mental health, finances.
Coaching Education: Providing coaches of young female athletes with the resources and support needed to best equip and grow the next generation of female leaders.
Equipment Donations: Our annual contribution to Leveling the Playing Field through our MSE Foundation will be focused on equipment specific to girl-athletes.
Flag Star Football: New partnership with Flag Star to develop their girls program to expand offerings to girls in the District
Support of existing girls empowerment programming throughout the District
All Caps All Her – The Washington Capitals ALL CAPS ALL HER platform is an initiative aiming to provide access to hockey and elevate the game for women and girls in the Washington D.C. area, while recognizing and supporting female players, coaches, parents, advocates, and leaders in the community
MSE Girls
Empowerment Program
Last year we committed $500,000 to the Fort Dupont Ice Arena for a five year-period (2023-2027) through our Foundation to help fund their Kids on Ice programming. So far, we’ve donated $200,000 donated which has been used specifically to fund the salaries of two full-time Kids on Ice program directors, whose duties are devoted exclusively to the Kids on Ice program. Each D.C. Ward was impacted by this grant - in 2023-24, 1,145 total skaters were impacted, of those 901 were unique skaters that resulted in 10,983 direct programming ice touches.
We’re expanding our commitment even further:
Introducing a free Learn to Play program at Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Supporting the Fort Dupont Cannons Ice Hockey Club by covering costs of coaching, staffing, equipment, and ice time
Click the link below for more on our partnership!
Fort Dupont Ice Arena & Fort Dupont Cannons
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During the 2024-25 basketball season We’re giving every DCPS Elementary School Student:
An NBA regulation basketball
A District of Play, Wizards T-shirt
We’re donating brand new equipment to DC public schools and community centers:
Street Hockey Equipment
Inline Hockey Equipment
Wizards-branded basketballs, cones and footwork ladders
Equipment
Subsidize Jr. NBA League affiliations for DPR rec leagues.
Provide jerseys for all players
Free player clinics at the start of the season
Coaches Clinic for DPR youth basketball coaches
Support DPR Youth Basketball Leagues
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As part of Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s District of Play initiative, we are proud to offer special single-session clinics for kids from Wards 7 and 8. These clinics will be led by Jr. Wizards staff in collaboration with DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).
Participants will have the unique opportunity to sharpen their skills with appearances by Go-Go players, Wizards alumni, and occasionally current Wizards and Mystics players. With both co-ed and girls-only programs, District of Play is committed to creating accessible opportunities for young athletes and supporting the future of sports in our community.
Click the link below to learn more about Jr. Wizards basketball! More information on free clinics coming soon.
Free Community Clinics
DCFamily.com
As part of the District of Play initiative, Monumental Sports & Entertainment is proud to offer a range of youth development programs. Current programming includes the Jr. Wizards Summer Camp, featuring multiple sessions of comprehensive basketball training, and the Jr. Wizards Holiday Camp, held during school breaks. We also offer the Jr. Mystics Summer Camp, focused on young female athletes and staffed entirely by women.
Through District of Play we’re expanding to include a Scholarship Fund to support low-income families, with a goal of assisting 200 D.C. students annually. Additionally, we are excited to grow our girls-only programming by adding a second session of the Jr. Mystics Summer Camp in 2025, with plans for continued expansion in the years to come.
Click the link below to learn more about Jr. Wizards basketball!
Basketball Camps
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As part of the District of Play initiative, Monumental Sports & Entertainment is proud to highlight the Capitals Hockey School Program, which began in 2016 in partnership with DC Public Schools (DCPS). Through this program, every public school in D.C. received full sets of street hockey equipment, along with a custom hockey curriculum and teacher training led by Capitals staff.
The program is now expanding to include an after school ball hockey initiative, broadening access to the sport for local youth. With additional funding, we aim to support the growth of off-ice programs such as "Try Hockey for Free," "Sticks & Sneakers Learn to Play," and "Learn to Inline Skate," helping more kids in D.C. get involved in hockey and physical activity.
Click the link below to learn more!
Caps Off-Ice
Programming
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The Capitals Youth Hockey Developoment Department is dedicated to growing the game of hockey by providing access to the sport on the ice. Funding will provide the following expanded programming in D.C.
Learn to skate classes
Learn to play classes
Field trips to rinks providing DCPS students an opportunity to ice skate
Caps On-Ice
Programming
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Monumental Sports & Entertainment currently offers Wizards Gameday Clinics, with 7 to 10 sessions each season, giving young athletes the unique opportunity to play on the court meet NBA players, and attend a Wizards game. Additionally, Mystics Clinics provide 4 to 5 sessions per season where participants can play on the court interact with WNBA players, and attend a Mystics game.
In our commitment to expanding access to sports, we are planning to add two clinics each season exclusively for students from Wards 7 and 8, providing these sessions at no cost to ensure all kids have the opportunity to participate.
Gameday Clinics
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Engage Parents, Coaches, and the Community
As part of the District of Play initiative, Monumental Sports & Entertainment is delivering a variety of content on Monumental+ that highlights the benefits of youth sports and promotes opportunities to get involved. This programming is designed to increase awareness, encourage participation, and showcase the positive impact that sports can have on young athletes.
More information coming soon!
Programming on Monumental+
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We are partnering with DC Public Schools (DCPS) to create a program that uses tickets as rewards and incentives for student and athlete success. This initiative ensures that more tickets are placed directly in the hands of D.C. kids, encouraging academic achievement and athletic excellence while providing memorable experiences at games.
DCPS Ticket Program
2024 - 25 Wizards Tickets Here
As part of the District of Play initiative, the Wizards hosted a 3v3 basketball tournament powered by Hoop It Up. The inaugural event took place at the historic Barry Farm, celebrating D.C.’s basketball culture and providing an opportunity for players compete in a fun and exciting environment.
Hoop It Up Partnership
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Monumental Sports & Entertainment is proud to spread holiday cheer by adopting several dozen families in need each holiday season. With the support of the entire MSE community, we provide gifts and fulfill wish lists to ensure that these families experience a joyous and memorable celebration.
Click the link below to learn more!
Annual Holiday Support
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Monumental Sports & Entertainment is committed to giving back to the community each Thanksgiving through our annual Thanksgiving event. In partnership with organizations like Bread for the City, we provide hot meals, warm clothing, and other essential items to families in need, ensuring they feel supported and cared for during the holiday season.
Click the link below to learn more!
Annual Thanksgiving Event
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Monumental Sports & Entertainment proudly hosts annual Back to School events, providing essential school supplies to students in need. Each year, we distribute backpacks filled with necessary items to help students start the academic year prepared and confident, ensuring they have the tools to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.
Click the link below to learn more!
Annual Back to School Events
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As part of the District of Play initiative, Monumental Sports & Entertainment is excited to enhance the local pickup basketball scene with surprise appearances at community games. These events will feature swag giveaways, ticket distributions, and appearances from mascots, alumni, and players to create unforgettable moments for participants.
In addition, we plan to launch a dedicated Pickup Basketball Hub on DCFamily.com, providing a comprehensive resource for finding and participating in pickup basketball games across D.C., making it the go-to destination for players of all skill levels.
More info coming soon.
Pickup Basketball
Monumental Sports & Entertainment has partnered with DCPS to fund USA Basketball Licensing for every coach. This initiative ensures that all DCPS coaches have access to essential training, resources, and certification to elevate their coaching skills and provide high-quality guidance to young athletes across the city. By investing in their development, we aim to foster a stronger sports community and empower coaches to make a lasting impact on the next generation of players.
Promo codes have been distributed to DCPS Athletic Directors. Please contact dcfamily@monumentalsports.com with any questions.
Fund USA Basketball Licensing for Every Coach in DCPS
As part of the District of Play initiative, Monumental Sports & Entertainment is dedicated to supporting local basketball coaches through free or low-cost annual clinics at the Entertainment and Sports Arena (ESA). These clinics focus on providing high school, middle school, and AAU coaches with valuable training and development opportunities.
Basketball Coaches Workshops
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Each year Monumental Sports & Entertainment hosts an all-day event featuring top local high school basketball teams, with one game typically played at Capital One Arena and broadcast live.
In our planned expansion, we aim to ensure that at least one game features DC Public Schools (DCPS) teams, highlighting local talent. Additionally, we are exploring the possibility of expanding the event to a two-day format, with potential national coverage on the second day to further showcase the region’s top athletes.
Click the link below to learn more!
Basketball Day in the DMV
As part of the District of Play initiative, we are partnering with DC Public Schools (DCPS) to sponsor Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) workshops for coaches, athletes, and parents. These seasonal workshops focus on developing positive coaching techniques, fostering a competitor's mindset in athletes, and providing supportive parenting strategies, all aimed at enhancing the overall sports experience for D.C. youth and their families.
Click the link below to learn more!
Positive Coaching Alliance
Positive Coaching Alliance Partnership
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Video Recap
Q: How can parents register their children for the programs under the "District of Play" initiative? A: Parents can register their children through the program links on the "District of Play" website, where they will find a comprehensive list of available programs, schedules, and registration forms. Reach out using the form on our website with specific questions, feedback, or ideas.
Q: Are there any costs associated with participating in the "District of Play" programs? A: Many of the "District of Play" programs are free or subsidized to ensure accessibility for all children. Where there are costs, scholarships and financial assistance are available to eligible families. We encourage parents to reach out through our website or customer service to inquire about available financial support options.
Q: What age groups are eligible to participate in the "District of Play" programs? A: "District of Play" offers programs from pre-K through adulthood. Each program is designed to cater to specific age groups and skill levels, ensuring appropriate development and engagement for all participants.
Q: What resources will District of Play offer to coaches? A: District of Play will provide access to professional development workshops, sports equipment, and scholarship for licensing. We’ll also offer networking opportunities to help you connect with other coaches and local leaders.
Q: Where will the "District of Play" activities and programs take place? A: Activities and programs will be hosted at various newly refurbished play spaces, community centers, schools, and MSE venues such as Capital One Arena and the Entertainment and Sports Arena. Specific locations and addresses for each program will be provided on the "District of Play" website and on the program pages during the registration process.
Q: What types of sports and activities are included in the "District of Play" initiative? A: The "District of Play" initiative is primarily basketball and hockey, but also includes flag football and specialized programs focusing on skills development, girls’ empowerment, and adaptive sports for children with disabilities. The initiative also offers clinics, camps, and after-school programs to cater to different interests and skill levels.
Q: Will transportation be provided for participants to and from the programs? A: For certain programs MSE is providing transportation, especially on-ice hockey programming. Details about transportation options, schedules, and pick-up/drop-off points will be communicated to registered participants and their families.
Q: Will this only benefit kids in DC? If not, how many kids in DC vs. other locations? A: While all our teams have youth sports programming throughout the DMV, District of Play is currently exclusive to Washington, D.C., as an expression of our gratitude to the city for their help in ensuring our downtown home thrives for another generation. Once we have more data to demonstrate the effectiveness of each initiative, we can fine-tune our approach and expand District of Play to reach even more communities across the region.
Q: Are there volunteer opportunities available for parents or community members? A: Sign up for our newsletter to learn more about upcoming opportunities to get involved, or reach out using the form on our website with specific questions, feedback, or ideas.
Q: How can local businesses or organizations get involved in supporting "District of Play"? A: Local businesses and organizations can support "District of Play" through sponsorships, partnerships, and donations. They can also participate in events and provide resources or services. Interested parties can contact our partnership team via the website to explore opportunities for collaboration.
Q: How does "District of Play" address the issue of inclusivity, particularly for girls and children with disabilities? A: Inclusivity is a core principle of "District of Play." We are launching specific programs, such as the MSE Girls Empowerment Program, which focuses on providing tailored opportunities for young girls in sports. For children with disabilities, all our new and refurbished playspaces are designed with accessibility in mind, with the goal that every child can participate. We are also partnering with organizations that specialize in adaptive sports to provide appropriate training and equipment.
Q: How can community organizations collaborate with District of Play? A: We’re actively seeking partnerships with local community organizations that focus on youth development, sports, and education. Together, we can create tailored programs that address the specific needs of the children and families you serve.
Q: How will MSE measure the success of the "District of Play" initiative? A: We will measure success through various metrics, including the number of children participating in our programs and feedback from parents, community leaders, and participants. Regular assessments and community feedback will guide adjustments to ensure the initiative meets its goals.
Q: How much will this program cost? A: MSE has made a multi-million-dollar per year commitment to "District of Play," reflecting our dedication to the community. This initiative is part of our long-term strategy to invest in youth sports and community development. We have a roadmap for the next four years, and our goal is to maintain and expand these programs adapting to the community's evolving needs.
Q: Is MSE prepared to District of Play beyond the initial 4 years of programming? A: Yes, we have a roadmap for the next four years, and our hope is to maintain and expand these programs adapting to the community's evolving needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Basketball Day in the DMV
Positive Coaching Alliance Workshop
Basketball Coaches Workshops
Fund USA Basketball Licensing for every Coach in DCPS
Pickup Basketball
Annual Back to School Events
Annual Thanksgiving Event
Annual Holiday Support
Hoop It Up Partnership
DCPS Ticket Program
programming on Monumental+
Flag Star Football
MSE Girls Empowerment Program
Fort Dupont Ice Arena & Fort Dupont Cannons
Equipment
Support DPR Youth Basketball Leagues
Free Community Clinics
Basketball Camps
Caps On-Ice Programming
Caps OfF-Ice Programming
Gameday Clinics
Monumental Sports & Entertainment proudly supports the Building Bridges Across the River Midnight Basketball League in Ward 8. Hosted at THEARC, this late-night, weekend initiative provides a safe and positive environment for the community to gather and play basketball.
Midnight Basketball Partnership
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All Caps All Her
Midnight Basketball Partnership
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