Positive Leadership Advances Youth Self-development (P.L.A.Y.S.) was founded in January 2001 by former athlete Andrew Grosvenor, to improve the quality of life for children residing in the Southern regions of Dallas, making advanced sports performance training available from university and professional athletic programs. By combining physical fitness training and education, P.L.A.Y.S. seeks to help youth become well-rounded, emotionally secure individuals by strengthening their minds and bodies.

Program Objectives

• Instruction in a variety or motor skills and physical activity designed to enhance the physical, mental and social or emotional development of every student.
• Provide instruction on healthy eating habits and good nutrition.
• Share information on the latest research and trend in physical education.
• Help increase performances through speed, agility, and quickness.
• Increase awareness of nutrition as it pertains to the enhancement of academics and sports performance.
• Build confidence and self-esteem of students through recreation, incentives, and parental involvement.
• Encourage parents to volunteer, participate in training sessions, evaluate their child annually, and communicate with certified personal trainers regarding their child’s development.

Organization History

Established in 2001 as a 501©3 organization, Positive Leadership Advances Youth Self-Development organization (“PLAYS”) is a comprehensive public center for youth with a special mission to improve the quality of life for children living in the Southern Dallas community of Dallas, Texas. P.L.A.Y.S. primary focus is to combine physical fitness training and nutritional education to help youth with obesity and improper diet imbalance to become well rounded, emotionally secure individuals by strengthening their young minds and bodies to make positive choices.

Andrew Grosvenor is the visionary and Founder of P.L.A.Y.S. Positive Leadership Advances Youth Self-Development. P.L.A.Y.S. mission is to build self-confidence and self-esteem, to develop high achievers, and to enrich the lives of youth in ways of academic achievement, physical fitness, proper nutrition and community service.

Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Andrew was always a stellar athlete. He understood at an early age that physical athleticism and talent, coupled with academic excellence, was the winning combination that could take him a long way. Andrew is an accomplished athlete with basketball as his specialty. He has played for two CBA teams in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Fargo, North Dakota. He has also played for three overseas teams in England, Scotland and the Philippines.

Often, in today’s society, there is too much emphasis placed on the physical athleticism aspect and not enough emphasis placed on the academic excellence aspect of this winning combination. Andrew embodied this healthy balance between physical athleticism and academic excellence and through P.L.A.Y.S. he has helped many children achieve that same balance.

Using the knowledge he has gained from being a long time athlete, a student of North Eastern State University majoring in Journalism and Kinesiology and currently a Cooper Aerobics Center Certified Personal Trainer for Bally Total Fitness, Andrew has developed a positive youth training program. A specialist in Post-Rehabilitation certified through Idea.

Through his work with the Boys and Girls Club of West Dallas and as a Recreational Specialist for the City of Irving, Andrew realizes that there is a need for positive influence in the lives of Dallas’ youth. He wants to make sure that every child feels as if he or she matters and is cared about. When a child knows this, they are better able to develop intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and morally.

Of course, behind every strong man there is a strong woman. That woman is Bridgette Grosvenor. She is the co-founder of P.L.A.Y.S. and has always been a firm believer in community involvement. Andrew and Bridgette are highly motivated people and parents of two lovely and active daughters.

Through the leadership of Andrew and Bridgette, P.L.A.Y.S., together with other community groups, youth agencies, national institutions and schools, continues a great American tradition that complements government efforts to focus on the needs of children.

By stimulating the minds of children with academic problems and expounding on their athletic abilities,P.L.A.Y.S.’ vision of helping youth in Southern Sector of Dallas develop into productive adults with a strong sense of self and community awareness will be achieved.