PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation USA will celebrate the launch of its first Player Academy of Excellence (PLAE) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, October 2, 2026, at noon at Northeast Community Propel Academy in Philadelphia. The event will introduce the Foundation’s flagship U.S. youth-development initiative, created to help underserved young people build academic skills, confidence and a sense of belonging.
Held at 7500 Rowland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19136, the celebration will feature remarks by Gary Player, an official ribbon cutting, and sports and healthy food stations for students. The ceremony begins three days of celebration and fundraising, with the Foundation hosting a charity gala and auction Saturday, October 3, followed by a charity golf day Sunday, October 4.
“Vivienne and I always believed that every child deserves someone who believes in them and the opportunity to build a better life,” said Gary Player. “Opening the first Player Academy of Excellence is deeply meaningful to our family. Through education, sport and the guidance of caring adults, we hope to help children discover their abilities and develop the discipline to pursue their dreams. I can think of no better way to carry Vivienne’s love for children forward in the United States.”
PLAE brings the Foundation’s experience supporting charitable partners into an academy that will deliver its own coordinated youth programming. “Participate. Learn. Achieve. Excel.” expresses its purpose. The year-round model connects literacy and homework support with sports, wellness, leadership development, mentorship and family engagement. Its six core values are discipline, accountability, courage, service, excellence and belonging.
Philadelphia will serve as PLAE’s founding location, with programming planned for Northeast Community Propel Academy and Abraham Lincoln High School. Led by founding Executive Director Christian Holland, the academy’s team is working with school and community partners to create opportunities for students to strengthen their learning, develop life skills and explore college and career possibilities. Family engagement and connections to community resources are central to the approach. The academy emphasizes collaboration with Philadelphia-area organizations already making an impact, including The First Tee, to complement existing programs rather than compete with them.
“PLAE has grown from listening to families, educators and community organizations and understanding how we can support their goals together,” said Amanda Player-Hall, President and Executive Director of the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation USA and PLAE Board Chair. “We want young people to know they belong, that their voices matter and that there are adults committed to helping them succeed. This opening is the beginning of that work in Philadelphia, and our supporters are helping us put the people and resources in place to sustain it.”
The academy plans to track progress in areas including literacy, academic growth, attendance, family engagement, wellness, and college and career readiness. The Foundation intends to use its experience in Philadelphia to develop a model that can be adapted for other U.S. communities while maintaining strong local relationships.
The October 3–4 fundraising events, presented as “PLAE for the Future,” will take place at Union League Liberty Hill in Pennsylvania. Proceeds from the charity gala, auction and golf day will support PLAE and the Foundation’s work creating opportunities for young people. The weekend will give supporters a chance to celebrate the academy’s launch and contribute to the sustained programming at the heart of its mission.
For more information about the Player Academy of Excellence and ways to support the Foundation, visit plaeusa.org or gvpfusa.org.
About The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation in the US
The Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation was established in the United States in 2021 to honor Vivienne Player’s memory and continue the lifelong mission she and Gary shared: to provide vulnerable children with a safe and nurturing environment in which to thrive. After Vivienne’s passing, the Foundation took root in the US as a living tribute to her love and both Gary and Vivienne's unwavering belief in the power of lifting the next generation. Gary and Vivienne firmly believed that the cycle of poverty can be broken by giving children access to safe homes, quality education, and essential health care. Today, the Foundation partners with organizations nationwide to turn that belief into reality—building a legacy of compassion and opportunity that embodies the very best of Gary and Vivienne’s values. At its heart, the Foundation is a testament to their love—a love that extends far beyond their own family to embrace the most vulnerable children in our communities. The Foundation’s mission is to support organizations whose work positively impacts the lives of these vulnerable children. The vision of the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation is inspired by research which proves that intergenerational poverty can be broken in three key ways - education, health and community.
Contact
Bo Wood
Gary Player, Media
bo@garyplayer.com
Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation U.S.A.
info@gvpfus.org