Disney Cruise Line Broadens Community Sports Initiative Across The Bahamas
Disney Cruise Line is strengthening its long-term investment in Bahamian communities by expanding The Play Project, a youth-focused initiative dedicated to creating safe, engaging spaces where children can play, learn, and grow through sports.
Building on the program's early success in Eleuthera, the latest phase extends improvements to Nassau and Abaco through partnerships with ESPN, love.fútbol, Good Sports, local leaders, and community organizations. Together, they are renovating baseball diamonds, basketball courts, playgrounds, and athletic facilities to encourage active lifestyles and provide more opportunities for young people.
Creating Lasting Opportunities Through Play
Since its launch alongside the opening of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in 2024, The Play Project has transformed recreational spaces at nine schools throughout Eleuthera and Nassau. The initiative has already generated more than 60,000 hours of play for over 800 children, with additional projects now planned for Abaco.
Disney Cruise Line developed the program in collaboration with global nonprofit organizations love.fútbol and Good Sports, working closely with local residents to ensure each project reflects the needs of the surrounding community.
A Strong Foundation in Eleuthera
The first phase centered on South and Central Eleuthera, where six primary schools—P.A. Gibson, Deep Creek, Tarpum Bay, Rock Sound, Wemyss Bight, and Green Castle—received upgraded recreational facilities.
More than 230 Disney VoluntEARS joined teachers, students, government representatives, and community members during the 2025 construction efforts, helping create vibrant outdoor spaces designed to serve generations of local families.
Following the positive impact in Eleuthera, Disney Cruise Line has used the program as a model for expansion throughout The Bahamas.
ESPN Joins the Initiative
The next chapter of The Play Project introduces ESPN as a key collaborator through its Take Back Sports initiative, which focuses on making organized sports more accessible for children and encouraging lifelong participation in athletics.
Kevin Martinez, Vice President of ESPN Corporate Citizenship, said the partnership reflects Disney and ESPN's shared commitment to removing barriers that prevent young people from participating in sports while helping them develop confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.
New Improvements Across Eleuthera
Returning to the island where the initiative began, Disney Cruise Line completed additional upgrades during Spring 2026, including resurfaced baseball fields in Tarpum Bay and new playgrounds at Emily G. Petty and Emma E. Cooper schools.
Hon. Clay Sweeting, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs and Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, praised Disney Cruise Line's continued investment, noting that programs like The Play Project contribute to the island's growing economic development while creating meaningful opportunities for local youth.
Nassau Students Receive a New Place to Play
The initiative also reached Nassau during Summer 2026 through a partnership with ESPN's Take Back Sports, The Buddy Hield Foundation, love.fútbol, and Good Sports.
At Woodcock Primary School, the courtyard was completely reimagined with a newly resurfaced basketball court, upgraded hoops, volleyball equipment, and a colorful mural created by Bahamian artist Angelika Wallace-Whitfield. The redesigned space celebrates local culture while providing students with a welcoming environment for recreation and physical activity.
Disney Signature Experiences Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Rena Langley said the project reflects Disney Cruise Line's commitment to helping children build friendships, confidence, and lifelong memories through play.
To celebrate the reopening, students participated in sports clinics led by The Buddy Hield Foundation alongside members of Team Bahamas.
NBA player Buddy Hield said creating quality spaces for children to play is especially meaningful because of his own upbringing in The Bahamas. Through his foundation, he hopes to inspire young athletes by giving them access to positive experiences and showing them that their dreams are supported by their community.
Looking Ahead to Abaco
The Play Project continues to grow with new community build days planned for both Nassau and Abaco. The next major development will take place in Sandy Point, Abaco, where Disney Cruise Line and its nonprofit partners will work with residents to create additional recreational facilities for local children.
According to love.fútbol Chief Operating Officer Manoel Silva, play has the power to strengthen communities, improve children's well-being, and create lasting positive change. As The Play Project expands across The Bahamas, Disney Cruise Line and its partners aim to ensure even more young people have access to safe, inspiring places where they can stay active, build confidence, and simply enjoy being kids.
Thank you to Disney Experiences for the original article and photos.
