Unmatched featured in: Project Play's State of Play 2024

We are so grateful to the Aspen Institute for their including Unmatched Athlete as part of the State of Play Report. Read the article below: How Baltimore is improving sports access for children:

#12. Sports opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth and allies created

Olanrele Oni grew up loving to play soccer, but never felt he could truly be himself in sports because he is gay. In 2020, as the Black Trans Lives Matter movement grew across the nation, Oni created Unmatched Athlete and started with clinics in climbing, obstacle courses, flag football, Ultimate frisbee, basketball, soccer, and volleyball. The goal is to eventually create leagues and tournaments and hire a coach to teach sports fundamentals.

The events are nongendered, meaning every child plays together. To date, 177 children ages 5-18 have registered or participated in Unmatched Athlete’s events in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Montgomery, Howard and Prince George’s counties. More than half of the children (51%) identify as female, with 35% identifying as male and 14% as transgender or nonbinary. Nationally, research shows LGBTQ+ youth play sports at far lower rates than their peers.

“Regardless of how you identify, sports are for everyone,” Oni said.