Every Kid Sports scholarship helps young Deer Park hockey player stay on the ice

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Meagan Sweeney of Deer Park is an avid Dallas Stars fan, while her husband supports the Detroit Red Wings. Together, they are sharing their enthusiasm for ice hockey with their 7-year-old daughter, Lorelei.

"Oh, yes, we love hockey," Lorelei confidently shared.

Lorelei plays for HTX Storm, the only all-girls hockey association in Houston. She has been part of the group since she was five. Meagan said that's around the same time that her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD.

"A lot of ADHD kids need heavy, fast movement and things to do to really help control all the impulsive urges, and Hockey has a lot of that," Meagan said.

Meagan admits ice hockey is an expensive sport, and families can spend up to $1,000 during one season. Meagan said she needed financial assistance, and that's when she heard about Every Kid Sports.

"The director of Storm, Eric Kimmel, sent me a link to the scholarship," Meagan remembers. "I filled it out, not expecting much, and we do happen to qualify."

Every Kid Sports is a national nonprofit providing financial assistance for youth sports registration fees to kids from income-restricted families. This year, ESPN's Take Back Sports and Disney Jr. Let's Play! are teaming up with Every Kid Sports to help more families with preschoolers and young kids, opening the door to more play in their communities.

According to the Aspen Institute's Project Play, Youth ages 6-18 from low-income homes quit sports at six times the rate of kids from high-income homes.

Right now, qualifying families across the Houston area can apply for grants to cover fall registration fees.

To apply, visit EveryKidSports.org/LetsPlay

Disney is the parent company of Disney Jr., ESPN, and ABC13.