FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2025
CONTACT: Karina Diaz, Hudson County Executive’s Office
PHONE: 201-795-6200
Announced Opening of 2025-2026 Grant Application Period
JERSEY CITY, NJ — On April 10, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy proudly celebrated the culmination of the Sports in Education Pilot Program with a successful Combine sponsored by the County and partnered by Prime Athletic Development of Bayonne and the New York/New Jersey-based Champ Up Academy, with support from the New York Red Bulls Academy.
He also announced the open application period for the 2025-2026 Sports in Education program, which will fund programming during and after school hours. The application is open to public schools, public school districts, and charter schools until May 12.
The Sports in Education Program is a grant-funded initiative started by the County of Hudson one year ago, which strives to bridge the gap between all Hudson County team sports, youth leagues, private sports programs and clinics. The program provides leadership, planning facilitation, sports fundamentals and support for enhanced sports learning and education throughout Hudson County.
The April 10th Combine took place at County Prep High School with over 250 student athletes participating from 7 schools throughout the County, including Horace Mann Community School and Henry E. Harris Community School in Bayonne, Cordero Community School and Chaplain Charles Watters School in Jersey City, Hudson Arts & Science Charter School in Kearny, Lincoln School in Harrison, and Weehawken Elementary School.
“It was just 10 months ago that we introduced the Sports in Education Program. Director Gina Hulings recognized the gap in sports education within Hudson County schools for kids who want to become active in sports but who are not involved in organized teams and leagues. We sought to fill this gap through the Sports in Education Pilot Program, and what a success it has been,” said County Executive Craig Guy. “As County Executive, I am proud to support the development of our youth, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact the program will have on students as it grows.”
“After seeing the success of our Arts in Education program throughout Hudson County, we realized the need for sports education,” said Gina Hulings, Director of Cultural & Heritage Affairs | Tourism Development. “We wanted to make sure we met the needs of the students throughout the County, which included wellness training and nutrition development. We were so thrilled to run this pilot program, and we are looking forward to continuing our efforts in the fall.”
“The biggest advice that I’m giving these kids now is to be a hard worker in school and on the court, get off your phone, and go outside for a run. Because the thing that I think separates kids from playing any college sports is their grades and maintaining those grades,” said Jaida Guerra, a basketball student athlete at Union City High School who has represented Puerto Rico in international competitions. “I want kids to really know what their drive and motivation is – you have to know what your goal is and what you want to accomplish. You have to set that standard for yourself. You want to go into every workout, every practice knowing what you want to get better at. Anything – any little thing – is going to help you get to where you want to be.”
“Prime Athletic Development is a company that specializes in athletic development for young athletes in kindergarten through college. We had a vision 5 years ago during the Covid pandemic to help kids come out of it and this is where we are today. We did a standardized athletic combine in which kids in the community can test their skills – running the 40-yard dash, 10-yard dash, 3-cone drill, vertical jumps – all of the luxury that professional athletes have access to, and they get to test it in real time,” said Mark Johnson, Owner of Prime Athletic Development.
For photos from the event, click here.
To watch a video of the event, please visit HudCoTV on Youtube.
For further guidelines for school and school districts for the 2025-2026 Sports in Education Program, click here.