Disney Cruise Line is deepening its commitment to making a real difference in the communities it calls home with a major expansion of The Play Project, a community-led initiative that’s bringing new energy to youth sports and play spaces across The Bahamas.
This next chapter will deliver upgraded facilities to even more islands — now with new collaborators, including ESPN — with refurbished baseball fields, basketball courts, and track and field grounds in Eleuthera, Nassau, and Abaco. The goal is to create more places for kids to be active, compete and simply be kids.
“Through The Play Project, our teams are working with community leaders in Eleuthera, Nassau and Abaco to provide youth with safe places to play, learn and connect,” said Joey Gaskins, regional public affairs director for Disney Cruise Line. “This next phase builds on the magic and momentum of our first year by expanding to more communities while introducing new sports and strengthening bonds between Disney and our port communities.”
Impact Over a Year in the Making
The mission began when Disney Cruise Line opened Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in 2024. Seeking to create vibrant spaces for Bahamian youth, Disney teamed up with the global nonprofit love.fútbol and local residents to design essential play spaces.
In its inaugural year, efforts were focused on South and Central Eleuthera. Six primary schools — P.A. Gibson, Deep Creek, Tarpum Bay, Rock Sound, Wemyss Bight, and Green Castle — received revitalized play spaces. This massive undertaking in 2025 was fueled by the hands-on dedication of more than 230 Disney VoluntEARS, who worked alongside Bahamian officials, teachers, and students to create what has become a community-led success story.
One year later, The Play Project has created more than 32,000 hours of annual play for local children.
As The Play Project moves into its second year, this successful model in Eleuthera has served as a blueprint for growth, allowing the initiative to expand into Nassau and Abaco and continue its mission of bringing the magic of play to students across The Bahamas.
New Partners, New Possibilities
Disney Cruise Line tapped into the power of The Walt Disney Company to bring ESPN’s “Take Back Sports” initiative to help drive support for The Play Project. “Take Back Sports” aims to reverse the decline in youth sports participation by dismantling barriers such as rising costs and providing free programming to ensure that sports remain within reach, inclusive, and — most importantly — fun for the next generation of athletes.
“The Walt Disney Company and ESPN are working to make youth sports more accessible,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN corporate citizenship. “We’re thrilled to support young athletes with resources so kids can take advantage of the many life skills that sports have to offer.”
In The Bahamas, this initiative aims to reduce barriers to youth sports, providing resources to athletes, parents, and coaches alike, and the introduction of ESPN and “Taking Back Sports” will help to amplify local stories of resilience and joy.
Team Spirit and Homeruns in Eleuthera
This year, The Play Project returned to where it all began, revitalizing even more spaces in South and Central Eleuthera. Whether it’s resurfacing baseball fields at Tarpum Bay or installing new playgrounds at Emily G. Petty and Emma E. Cooper schools, the goal remains the same: creating a lasting legacy of play.
“Disney Cruise Line continues to show its commitment to communities in Central and South Eleuthera with the expansion of the Play Project initiative,” said Hon. Clay Sweeting, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs and Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera. “Programs and corporate engagement like this are an important part of the incredible economic development Eleuthera is now experiencing.”
Looking Toward a Bright Future
The momentum won’t stop in Eleuthera. Disney Cruise Line and international non-profit love.fútbol will also lead community “build days” in Abaco and Nassau this summer.
“We see play as a powerful platform for creating lasting impact for children and the places they call home,” said Manoel Silva, chief operating officer of love.fútbol.
In Nassau, DCL is collaborating with the Buddy Hield Foundation for a total revitalization of the sports spaces at Woodcock Primary School, culminating in a community basketball tournament hosted by Bahamian NBA star Buddy Hield to tip off the opening of the new facilities. From repaved courts and professional painting to new volleyball poles and basketball rims, the school will be transformed into a vibrant hub for student athletes.
By August 2026, students across the Bahamas will have access to even more rewarding play environments. This initiative is a cornerstone of Disney Cruise Line’s year-round commitment to the people of the Bahamas — an effort recently recognized on Forbes’ 2026 List of America’s Best Brands for Social Impact.
Learn more about Disney Cruise Line’s community initiatives at DisneyExperiences.com or follow Disney Cruise Line Crew & Community on Facebook.