About City League
We are a St. Louis-based, locally-operated 501(c)3 nonprofit on a mission to develop the next generation of youth through engagement in sports and extracurriculars. Guided by our core values of Equity, Health, Connection and Movement, we put in the work to create sustainable sports leagues for all the schools, students and families we serve.
The mission of City League is to develop youth through school sports and extracurriculars.
Sports have the power to change lives—but youth sports are on the decline. We want to reverse the trend by meeting the core needs of successful youth school sports leagues.
In 2018, 38% of kids ages 6-12 played an organized sport on a regular basis, down from 45% a decade earlier. After the pandemic, 44% of families said their community-based program has either closed, merged or returned with limited capacity.
Sports transform players, but they also build camaraderie and togetherness at school. From jersey days to pep rallies, sports fuel positive culture in a way that helps all students thrive. By directly addressing barriers like program policy and scheduling, City League can help make middle school sports accessible, sustainable, easy and fun for everyone involved.
From our Founder, Allison Cousins
“The heart of the ‘why’ behind City League is that I want to create transformable opportunities for kids and help them find their thing. Middle school is the most crucial time to do this—it’s when relationships matter the most, and when connections can be made with mentors in the community.”
Impact by the Numbers
City League launched in 2021 through Lafayette Preparatory Academy in St. Louis. In our 2021-2022 pilot year, we served 12 middle schools and 600 students across 4 sports, and we’re growing every day.
10 Schools
created new athletics programs with City League during the ’21-’22 season.
87%
of students participated in a sport for the first time.
83.87%
of students attending partner schools were students of color.
81.78%
of students qualified for free and reduced lunch.
Based on our impact survey, participating students reported improvement in academic motivation, classroom behavior, community leadership, school attendance, peer and social relationships, confidence and feelings of self-worth.
The People Running City League
Our founding team is made of educators and community champions who are passionate about seeing our region thrive. We’ve seen the impact that sports make on people’s lives, and we’re here to make St. Louis a more equitable youth sports city.
Allison Cousins; Founder & Commissioner
Allison is an educator and entrepreneur. Most recently, Allison worked as the Physical Education Teacher and Athletic Director at Lafayette Preparatory Academy (LPA) where she founded City League, formerly known as the St. Louis Charter Athletics League. Allison left LPA to pursue building City League into a nonprofit organization. In addition, Allison is the CEO of a St. Louis Tech Startup, Approach Dating; a dating app to find your person, in person.
Erin Borrini; Board President
With a degree in Communication and 20 years of experience working in public relations, Erin brings her passion for relationship development and public dialogue to City League. A long-time resident of St. Louis City and parent of a middle school athlete, Erin values the role of youth sports in enhancing children’s confidence, connecting families and enriching school spirit. She’s seen the impact of sports on her children in her roles as an assistant cross-country coach and wife to a school soccer coach. Beyond youth sports, Erin is active in the St. Louis community. She is a member of the Alliance Francaise de St. Louis, the Gateway Region YMCA and the Benton Park Neighborhood Association. She volunteers for the St. Louis Artist Guild, Cinema St. Louis, the St. Louis chapter of Lasagna Love and the Soulard Restoration Group. She is a big fan of her city and hopes her participation in the City League board will make it better.
Gus Kempa; Secretary
August Kempa was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. After earning a degree in Finance from Mizzou, he returned to St. Louis to pursue a career in business. Currently, he serves at Wells Fargo as a Vice President of Consumer and Business Products.
As a former high school athlete in an avid cyclist and runner, August has experienced the transformative power of sports and is passionate about ensuring that all students in St. Louis have access to high quality sports programming.
Riley Foster; Treasurer
Riley Foster is the program director for Next Prep, a postsecondary readiness initiative of The Opportunity Trust. As a Teach for America alumni, she’s worked in St. Louis education for the past 6 years. She grew up as a soccer and basketball player and strongly believes in the power of sports to build leadership skills, strengthen relationships, and create opportunities.
Hear From Our Existing School Partners
My name is Trisha Anderson, I am the Athletic Director for City Garden Montessori School. Bringing sports to our school through this program has brought a bigger sense of teamwork, compassion, and a greater sense of community. My favorite memory from last year was when one of my basketball players turned to me and said, “This is so fun, I am so glad we are doing this, thank you!” With a big smile on his face. I am looking forward to expanding this in my school.
– Trisha Anderson
City Garden Athletic Director
This league has allowed our students to compete in an organized, St. Louis City Charter School League that gives our students a great sense of ownership in their ability to become student-athletes.
– Nicholas Howard
Gateway Science Academy Athletic Director
The City League has been incredible for Kairos Academies. It has allowed our school, in its early years, to provide opportunities for our students outside of academics. This involvement has given our students a chance to share their passions with staff. In a time when community gathering was limited, the league has given Kairos a chance to develop deep relationships with our community and provide a foundation to build on into the future. The Kairos students, staff, and families are grateful for this wonderful league.
– Erik Drehs
Kairos Academies Athletic Director
The Charter Schools City League has been absolutely critical in getting students involved with and interested in athletics! With everything going on in the world, sports are definitely an outlet for students and an essential part of growing into the outstanding individuals they will one day be. I cannot state enough how great this league was at providing students opportunities to play the game the right way, as well as create a platform for our young athletes to shine!
– David Roberto
Former Kairos Academies Athletic Director