Sanibel Tropics receive $4,000 grant from Kiwanis Club
The Sanibel Tropics youth basketball program has received a $4,000 grant from the Kiwanis Club of Sanibel-Captiva Islands to support the continued growth of competitive youth basketball opportunities for island children.
Sanibel Tropics founder and lead coach Dylan Murphy, along with assistant coach Carey Galantino, represented the program at the Kiwanis Club meeting Tuesday at The Sanibel Community House, where they spoke about the Tropics’ growth, mission and impact on local young athletes.
What began just one year ago with nine players has grown to 26 athletes in first through fifth grade, ranging in age from 6 to 10.
Competitive youth sports opportunities have been limited on Sanibel for many years, and the Tropics were created to help bring that experience back to island children. While basketball development is at the heart of the program, Murphy and Galantino also emphasize teamwork, discipline, confidence, sportsmanship and other life skills that can serve players as they continue in athletics, education and beyond.
“This program started with just nine kids, and to see it grow to 26 players in a year has been
incredible,” Murphy said. “We want to give these kids the opportunity to compete, learn the game and develop skills that go far beyond basketball. Having organizations like Kiwanis believe in what we are building means so much to our coaches, our players and their families.”
The $4,000 contribution marks the first grant the Sanibel Tropics have received from the Kiwanis Club of Sanibel-Captiva Islands and will help support the continued development and growth of the program.