RISE Through Sports

06/01/2026

Sports teach lessons that extend far beyond competition.

For Amara Moeller, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu taught her the value of delayed gratification, staying calm under pressure, and having the courage to show up even when she wasn’t sure she would succeed.

A recent ECU graduate with a Master’s degree in Medical Physics, Amara has spent the last 4.5 years training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, earning her purple belt while balancing academics, athletics, and service to others. Along the way, she has coached youth soccer and helped teach children’s Jiu Jitsu classes, serving as a positive role model for the next generation.

One of the biggest lessons she learned came from stepping into a competition despite being intimidated and unsure of herself. That experience showed her that growth often happens when we are willing to do hard things before we feel ready.

“You can do hard things. If I can do it scared, you can do it scared.”

This is why sports matter.

05/31/2026

05/24/2026

“The Lord will provide. If you want it badly enough, it’ll happen.”

Another powerful reflection from ECU Track & Cross Country athlete and Run Your City Greenville President, Ava Elliott.

This is why sports matter.

05/22/2026

From Week 1 to Week 6 ❤️

What started as a running program became confidence, friendships, mentorship, and opportunity for so many youth athletes in our community.

Proud of every kid who showed up and put in the work. 💯

05/20/2026

Youth ages 13-18 now average more than 8 hours of screen time each day.

That is more time than sleep for many kids.

Even small changes can make a big impact.
Just 30 minutes of activity can help improve mood, focus, confidence, and overall well being.

Every child deserves access to opportunities that keep them active, connected, and growing.

05/18/2026

6 weeks. Countless memories. A whole lot of growth. ❤️

This week, officially concluded the Run Your City Greenville NC youth running program.

Over the past six weeks, youth from across our community showed up each weekend ready to run, compete, encourage one another, and grow both on and off the course.

To celebrate the conclusion of the program, every participating youth athlete received a brand new pair of running shoes to continue their journey moving forward.

A special thank you to Fleet Feet Greenville, NC for believing in and investing in our local youth athletes. Your support helped make a lasting impact for so many families in our community.

Thank you as well to Run Your City Greenville NC for hosting such an incredible program and for continuing to serve as positive role models and mentors for the next generation. See you in the Fall? 👀

This is what community looks like.

05/13/2026

Great opportunity! Keep the kids active this summer. Highly recommend 🙌🏽👏🏽

💪 Keep your kids active, moving, and having fun this summer at Kids’ Fit Camp at the Greenville Aquatics & Fitness Center! ☀️

Campers ages 9–13 will enjoy structured exercise, sports, games, and pool days all week long in a fun and encouraging environment.

📅 June 22–26
🕣 Monday–Friday | 8:30 am–2:30 pm

Register today at GreenvilleNC.gov or at any Greenville Recreation & Parks facility!

05/12/2026

Eastern North Carolina has produced some incredible athletes and stories over the years. Todd Gurley is one of them.

Raised in Tarboro, North Carolina, Gurley’s journey from a small Eastern NC town to college football stardom at Georgia and eventually the NFL continues to inspire athletes across our region.

His story is a reminder that talent, discipline, and opportunity can come from anywhere.

At RISE Through Sports, we believe it is important for young athletes to see examples of people who came from communities just like theirs and achieved success through hard work, resilience, and perseverance.

https://www.therams.com/news/tarboro-tough-todd-gurley-s-journey-from-north-carolina-to-the-nfl-19026419

This is another Eastern NC story worth sharing.

05/04/2026

Our Why Sports Matter series continues with Ava Elliott, a current sophomore on the ECU Track and Cross Country team.

Ava is more than a collegiate athlete. She is a daughter, a sister, and a leader in our community as President of Run Your City Greenville.

Her story reflects what sports are truly about, growth, confidence, and discovering what you are capable of.

Through her journey, Ava has experienced firsthand how sports can shape mindset, open doors, and create a sense of purpose that extends far beyond competition.

She is an example of what is possible when young athletes are given the opportunity to grow, and an inspiration for the next generation across Eastern North Carolina.

This is why sports matter.

04/22/2026

We’re often asked, “How can we help?”

There are many ways to support RISE Through Sports and help expand access to youth athletics across Pitt County & Eastern North Carolina.

Every form of support matters.

When you give, you are doing more than supporting sports. You are helping a young person grow, build confidence, and know that their community believes in them.

That impact goes far beyond the game.

If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to connect!