Agency Details:

SUMOKIDS

SUMOKIDS’ MISSION
• to provide programs for schools and community organizations based on the tenets of sumo and personalized learning,

• to provide these programs at little or no cost through partnerships, sponsorships, grants and fund raising activities.

Description:
SUMOKIDS' programs

• encompass a broad range of extracurricular activities not limited to sports,

• are responsive to local needs and circumstance,
• involve any student and engage their interests and talents,
• are sensitive to school and community organization needs and requirements.
Our programs provide a safe environment and a positive influence that is an alternative to bullying, gangs and other negative influences and pressures.

These programs provide the skills to help students deal with these real-world issues.

SumoKids is inclusive!

SumoKids is not just a sports program. It works with all of the diverse talents of its local participants and builds a festival. There are places for wrestlers, artists, singers, dancers, reporters, judges, musicians and much more.

SumoKids does not exclude students with disabilities. There are almost no physical or academic reasons to prevent young people from participating in the program and the festival.

History:
Charles Bray is a former professional football player, Charles Bray is the founder of the SumoKids Foundation and co-developer of the SumoKids Program for schools and community centers.

After a football career with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts and the WFL's Memphis Southmen, Charles developed an interest in the ancient sport of Sumo while spending time with the famous Lloyd Percival at the Fitness Institute in Toronto. He was deeply impressed by the sport's focus on leverage, positioning and, most importantly, self discipline.

While Charles remained active in football as a coach at the high school and minor league level (working with the Toronto Grizzlies and Buffalo Warriors), he continued his deep studies into the tenets of Sumo. Always interested in engaging the youth that he was working with, he soon became aware that these tenets could be adapted for young people.

Over the next 12 years, Charles and a group of selected coaches began presenting Sumo through half time shows and school exhibitions in Canada and the United States. These demonstrations caused an overwhelming response of interest and praise. Participants in these shows engaged early and eagerly. Even gang members responded to Sumo and its positive message.

Inspired by these results, Charles began to consider building a more intensive program that he would call "SumoKids". During this process, he met Dan Kurchak. Involved in education as both an instructor and parent of a special needs student, Dan had founded a company built on the concept of personalized education that focused on each individual's needs and goals. Charles and Dan immediately saw the potential to create a program that could engage students at the group level and yet reach each participant individually as the program unfolded. Combining their areas of expertise and their passions for education, Charles and Dan developed a program that combined the ancient disciplines of Sumo with a highly modern form of learning.

The program has been conducted in various schools and community centers across Western NY. Beginning in July 2009, the program will expand dramatically throughout the community.

Contact people:

Tom Kerr, Board Advisor, (phone), (email) Charles Bray, Chief Executive Officer, (phone), (email) Greg Emminger, Board President, (phone), (email)

Address:

1321 Millersport Highway, Suite 204. Williamsville, NY 14221 (See a map)

Web Site: http://sumokidsfoundation.org/

Directions:

THIS IS A MAILING ADDRESS ONLY

Last updated on May 29, 2009