OUR JOURNEY / THE VISION & BEYOND
FROM FIRST STEPS
TO NEW POSSIBILITIES.
Rooted in Decatur. Growing across Metro Atlanta. Explore the camps and community relationships behind Connect Sports.
BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER, ONE CHILD AT A TIME
The story goes
beyond the scoreboard.
Our participants come from DeKalb, Henry, Clayton, Cobb, Fulton County, and beyond. Basketball, cheerleading, track & field, and school-based mentorship each offer a different way to connect—but they share the same commitment to young people and their families.
2012
Founded in Decatur
Tez and Gala Andrews founded Connect Sports in Decatur, Georgia, to serve young people and families through recreational sports, mentoring, and community outreach. That founding vision continues to shape the organization’s work: using sport as a place to build character, strengthen family connections, and encourage the next generation.
2012–2016
Early community connections
The early years brought Connect Sports into relationships with local schools and families. The organization’s history names Oakview, Jolly, Toney, Rockbridge, and Henderson elementary schools; Columbia, Henderson, and Bethune middle schools; Elite Scholars Charter School; DeKalb School of the Arts; and Lakeside, Columbia, Towers, and Southwest DeKalb high schools. These school connections are part of a wider story of service across DeKalb County and Metro Atlanta.
2010–PRESENT / THE FOUNDERS’ SERVICE
Beyond the court
The founders’ community service began before Connect Sports was established. Tez’s roles have included PTA president, Henderson Middle Cougars football chaplain, and Lakeside Vikings football chaplain. Gala volunteered with BridgePoint Church to support football players with meals, equipment, and Gatorade, alongside student advocacy and mentoring. Practical care and consistent encouragement have always been part of their approach.
2018–2025
Mentorship through football
The Connect Sports history highlights mentoring, chaplaincy, and character training connected with Lakeside High School football from fall 2018 through 2025. It also records Tez’s service with Henderson Middle School’s Cougars football team from 2022 to 2024. These relationships show how the work extends beyond a single camp season, supporting students through school and sport.
JULY 2021
A week of connection in Decatur
Connect Sports hosted a one-week camp at Bautista Iglesia Church in Decatur, serving more than 55 students from across the Atlanta metro area. The camp brought the organization’s sports and mentoring mission into a shared community setting, creating another opportunity for young people and families to connect.
SUMMER 2024 / DEKALB SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Basketball, cheer.
One camp community.
Basketball and cheerleading came together at DeKalb School of the Arts for the 2024 sports summer camp. On the court and through cheer, young people took part in the sports experience at the heart of Connect Sports: developing skills, joining a team, and receiving positive encouragement.
The season is preserved in camp photographs and the basketball and cheer recap below. Together, they show the movement, team spirit, and connections that make these gatherings meaningful for young athletes and their families.
SUMMER 2025 / BETHUNE MIDDLE SCHOOL
A new summer.
The same team spirit.
Bethune Middle School hosted the next basketball and cheerleading chapter in summer 2025. Connect Sports continued to bring young people together around recreation, mentoring, and the chance to grow with the support of coaches and peers.
The basketball and cheer photographs from this season capture a range of ages, personalities, and moments: preparing for the next play, practicing together, and expressing the confidence that comes with being part of a team.
SUMMER 2026 / TOWERS HIGH SCHOOL
New lanes.
More ways to grow.
In 2026, the summer program moved onto the track at Towers High School. Track camp ran July 6–9, followed by the July 11 all-comers track meet. The program brought running technique, movement drills, and track-and-field development together with mentorship and character building.
The camp program also included healthy meals, drone activities, and opportunities for community connection. The meet welcomed young athletes and teams across sprint, distance, and field events—broadening the ways children could participate, practice, and discover their strengths.
2024 / THE SHORT CUT
Forty seconds of connection.
A short look back at basketball, cheer, and community from our 2024 season.
WATCH THE MEMORIES
Back to the camp days.
2024 / Basketball & cheer
Summer memories from the Connect Sports YouTube channel.
2026 / Track camp & meet
Training, encouragement, and community at Towers High School.
Bringing families together,
one child at a time.
Giving is handled by Ministry Brands. Program inquiries are handled by our team.