Local Government

Local government plays a big role in community youth sports, by securing funding for leagues, promoting teams and hosting games. Throughout New Jersey, our leading Latino politicians have played a large role in promoting sports in the communities they come from. The mayor’s office and local city departments have and continue to play a crucial part through their continued support of local sports and sports organizations.

Puertorriquenos Asociado for Community Organization (P.A.C.O.) baseball team pose with community leaders

Robert Menendez and a baseball team at award ceremony

Group of people holding awards standing in front of the American, Puerto Rican, and Dominican flags, with a banner reading "Marcos Lluveras Softball League Fundada 1963”

The Marcos Lluveras Softball League, based in Jersey City and founded in 1963, was awarded recognition by the Hudson County Executive's Office for outstanding service to the community.

Roberto Clemente Little League team, the Angels wear caps emblazoned with the name of their sponsor, then Congressman Robert Menendez

Robert Menendez, who now serves as Senator for New Jersey is a Cuban-American, who advocates extensively for New Jersey’s Latino population, including the involvement of local sports. The Angels team in the Roberto Clemente Little League is one of the teams that he sponsored.

The 1981 District Champions of the Roberto Clemente Little League assembled in front of Newark City Hall along with city officials.

Mayor Kenneth Gibson and others stand under a banner honoring Roberto Clemente

Newark Department of Recreation host a local sports event for kids, titled the “2000 Juegos de Jovenes”

Translated as the “2000 Kids Games”, this spanish-language poster advertisement announced the year 2000 Children’s Sports event for children aged 12-15. This event, hosted by the Newark Recreation Department, included a variety of sports for local Newark residents to participate in. Local city-wide services like the Department of Recreation are an integral part of community sports, and continue to provide services to Newark’s growing Latino population.