PHOENIX, AZ – MaxInMotion® announced today an important addition to its list of major sports franchise partnerships. Coyotes Charities, the non-profit charity arm of the Phoenix Coyotes, has become a key collaborating partner in cultivating youth sports for deserving young athletes in our communities. This expansion into youth hockey advances MaxInMotion’s mission of helping financially disadvantaged Arizona youth to participate in organized sports.

“We are so appreciative of how MaxInMotion® has been received by our community of professional sports organizations since its launch earlier this summer,” said Jonah Shacknai, MaxInMotion® President. “With partners like the Phoenix Coyotes, we will make a difference in the lives of many young Arizona athletes who otherwise would not be able to discover their potential in a team sport like hockey.”

Coyotes Charities seeks to enhance the quality of life throughout Arizona communities by supporting non-profit organizations that promote healthcare, education, cultural arts and sports-related programs for children. They join the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and Phoenix Suns Charities whose combined skills and experience in supporting youth sports will serve Arizona youth and MaxInMotion® well. Further, MaxInMotion® has developed a partnership with Arizona Youth Soccer Association, which is currently receiving and reviewing grant applications from youth soccer clubs statewide.

“We are very pleased to partner with MaxInMotion® to help financially disadvantaged children in our state participate in the sports they love,” said Phoenix Coyotes President and COO Mike Nealy. “We look forward to working with MaxInMotion® to raise awareness about the foundation and to create opportunities for young athletes to play the game of hockey.”

It has been proven that participation in youth sports enhances community values, interdependency, and collective responsibility. Physical fitness prevents childhood obesity and has also been linked to reducing school dropout rates, teen pregnancy and high-risk behaviors, all of which pose tremendous consequences to our society.

MaxInMotion® provides much needed financial assistance to youth sports programs for underprivileged children and for the development of programs to include special needs populations in youth sports activities. Selected organizations must support soccer, baseball, basketball, or hockey, and emphasize character development, teamwork, academic excellence, and self-respect.

MaxInMotion® was founded in memory of Max Shacknai, who embodied the ideal young athlete: passionate, hard working, and incredibly committed to his teammates. To learn more or contribute visit www.maxinmotion.org