Justin J. Watt Foundation Donation

A foundation established by popular Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has donated after school athletic equipment valued at more than $5,000 to a Spring Branch ISD middle school.

Sixth-graders at Spring Oaks Middle School, 2150 Shadowdale, will be able to learn tennis and play basketball, volleyball, soccer and 7-on-7 flag football through the generosity of the Justin J. Watt Foundation.

The donation to Spring Oaks Middle’s after school Advanced Movers athletics programs matches up with the goals of the school, district and foundation. Texas sixth-graders are barred by University Interscholastic League rules from competing in district competition.

SBISD’s Advanced Movers program was established, in part, to provide sixth-graders with developmental athletics that they might not be exposed to otherwise in after-school programs.

The Watt Foundation donation, which was announced recently, will pay for a range of athletic equipment at Spring Oaks Middle that includes a variety of athletic balls, game essentials, and fitness and activity equipment.

This year, the middle school’s Advanced Movers offerings will include Quick Start Tennis sponsored by the Houston Tennis Association, as well as a basketball league, volleyball and soccer intramurals. Track and cross country offerings are also planned for students, too.

“The Justin J. Watt Foundation is providing this funding as a means of support for your extracurricular and athletic activities that give children the opportunity to learn the basic character traits of accountability, teamwork, leadership, work ethic and perseverance while in a safe and supervised environment with their peers,” Foundation Vice President Connie Watt said in an acknowledgement letter. “Thank you for what you do to help the kids.”

“We feel very fortunate to have received this donation,” Spring Oaks Middle Principal Paul Seuss said. “We are very excited and, without a doubt, our students will benefit from the equipment your donation will allow us to purchase.”

SBISD’s Advanced Movers program at the middle school is designed to bridge a gap athletically during sixth grade. Program offerings at the middle school are also intended to bridge a gap found among sixth-graders across the school district.

“Equipment received from the J.J. Watt Foundation will be used to enhance our programs by ensuring we have developmentally appropriate equipment, and that each participant will be able to be ‘hands-on’,” SBISD Athletics states.