BSA News

May 20, 2020

Dear Parents and Supporters of Brussels Sports Association (BSA),

We are writing to inform you that our leadership team has had to make the difficult decision to cancel the spring sporting season due to Covid-19 restrictions. We recognize that this will be a disappointment to all of our BSA children and families who were excited for spring baseball, lacrosse, and soccer.  Our team of parent and community volunteers is feeling the same way.

We are facing an unprecedented financial situation and confronting the reality of what this loss means for the future of BSA. As a not-for-profit organization, we rely heavily upon the generosity of our sponsors, the commitment of our volunteers and the income from registration fees to cover our operations expenses.    

What is the current status for BSA?

Our most pressing issue is addressing the financial implications of the evolving Covid-19 pandemic.  Prior to the lock down, BSA made a significant investment in equipment needed to safely play our spring sports. Equipment such as baseball nets, balls, tees, training equipment, and lacrosse helmets were all purchased in advance of the season. Consistent with standard procedures, we made these purchases with the anticipation that a strong turnout for our programs would cover costs. Additionally, BSA relies on registration fees to cover ongoing administrative costs including insurance, salaries and operational expenses.  

What is our goal?

• BSA hopes to raise 10,000 euros to cover the cost of non-returnable equipment purchased for spring sports and meet our ongoing financial obligations.

What can you do to help?

• If you registered for a spring program, you are entitled to a refund or a credit to your account. We also invite you to consider donating the amount of your registration to BSA.  Click here for instructions.  

• Consider making a donation.  Click here to donate.

BSA has served the international community in Belgium since 1958 by providing soccer, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse. Throughout the summer we will be working hard to determine what type of programming we will be able to offer in the fall.  Your donations will help ensure the survival of our organization and enable us to continue providing quality sports programming to your children for years to come.  

 

Kind Regards,

Kat Reine, Executive Director (Incumbent)

Jodi Harris,  Executive Director (Successor)

Jodi Harris is an American who has lived in Belgium since August 2019. She and her husband Jeremy, a diplomat with the US Department of State, have spent the past 11 years overseas with time divided between the Dominican Republic, Madagascar, Tokyo and now Belgium. She has also lived in Spain and Northern Ireland. She grew up in the Hill Country of Central Texas and calls Austin home.

Jodi’s three children, Jasper, Sam and Imogen, all attend ISB and she first became interested in BSA when she had the opportunity to co-coach her son Sam’s U13 BSA basketball team.  

Jodi has participated in sports her entire life starting with dance, gymnastics and basketball in elementary and continuing with basketball and cheerleading in high school. As an adult, she has been an avid runner and loves supporting her children in their athletic pursuits. She rarely turns down a chance to throw a ball or shoot some hoops.

Jodi also enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, traveling to new places, and learning about and practicing mindfulness. She loves to read and her favorite place to be is outdoors, feet propped up with a great book she can’t put down.

Jodi has a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Spanish (1995) as well as a Master’s Degree in Social Work (2004) from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also trained mindfulness teacher. She has been a corporate trainer, a high school teacher, a clinical social worker, a program manager for Peace Corps, and since 2013 has run her own business providing coaching and mindfulness training to individuals living outside their home cultures. She also currently serves as the Vice President on the board of Families in Global Transition.

Jodi is looking forward to joining the BSA team and supporting the organization in continued community building, outreach and success during these unpredictable times. 

If you have signed up to coach or are interested in helping coach our baseball program this spring season plan to come to our coaches training on 15 March from 2:00-3:00.  Come and learn coaching tips and tricks to help have a great team of players this season.  Coaches will receive a free BSA hoodie, training, and understand what to expect for the upcoming season as a coach.  Come dressed ready to be active and learn more about coaching baseball.  Please find below, additional schedule information.

Sunday, 15 March 

Where: International School of Brussels (ISB), meet at the Lower Field.  

When: 2:00-3:00