Host Families Wanted
Host a Collegiate Student-Athlete this Summer
NEWPORT, R.I- The Newport Gulls are extremely excited for the upcoming summer season. After making the decision to cancel the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization remained in communication with healthcare and government officials in order to determine the ability to play in 2021. With summer now just a few months away, the Gulls are “full speed ahead” with planning their 20th season in the City by the Sea.
Arguably the most important piece of planning every year is acquiring enough host families to provide housing for the collegiate-student athletes that play for the Gulls between June and August. This year is no different, posing even more of a challenge as the country continues to re-open and regain normalcy amid the pandemic. The Newport Gulls are actively seeking host families for the 2021 season, kindly asking Aquidneck Island residents to consider joining the Gulls Family this upcoming summer.
“Safety is paramount”, said Newport Gulls President & General Manager Chuck Paiva. In reference to the Gulls returning to play, he continued, “That (safety) goes for on and off the field. Our organization and the New England Collegiate Baseball League have been working diligently to prepare for this season in order to ensure players, coaches, interns, fans, and our host families remain healthy throughout the summer.” Paiva adds, “Our players are among the most frequently tested group of individuals in the country as they play their collegiate seasons at some of the most esteemed colleges and universities in the country, most of which have communicated their ability to get vaccinated by their respective schools prior to arrival.”
This year’s roster remains consistent with prior seasons as players will travel to Newport from throughout the country, including seven players from New England. CDC and State Travel Restrictions will be followed for these players arrival, and internal procedures will also be in place.
With recent openings of vaccination centers throughout Aquidneck Island, there is overwhelming optimism that by player arrivals in late May / early June, all who would like to be vaccinated will have the opportunity to do so- including players that have not already received the vaccine two doses in their respective states.
Chuck Paiva concluded his statements by saying, “I have received such positivity from past host families and fans that look forward to returning to watch Gulls Baseball this summer. However, there is always turnover within our Host Family Program, with families moving or no longer having an extra room they once had. Host Families have always served as the foundation of our organization and we are forever grateful to those that open up their homes to our players.”
Please consider joining the Newport Gulls Family by hosting a Gull this summer. The season is set to begin the first week of June and concludes in the first or second week of August depending on playoffs. Host Families receive a plethora of exclusive opportunities with the team as well as a package that includes tickets, summer camp vouchers, Gulls Gear, and more!
Hosting a Gulls player builds a life-long relationship, with players serving as tremendous role models for children and teens alike. Please contact Chuck Paiva via [email protected] or 401-845-6832 to learn more about the program and to ask any questions leading up to this summer season.
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The Newport Gulls, members of the 13-team New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded as the Rhode Island Gulls in 1998 in Cranston, R.I., before moving to Newport in 2001. In addition to recruiting, fielding, and developing a team of the nation’s top collegiate baseball athletes and attracting 50,000 fans annually to Cardines Field, the predominantly volunteer organization strives to benefit the community of Newport County via summer camps, reading programs, fundraisers, scholarships, and charitable donations – totaling over $1 million since 2001. The Gulls are six-time champions of the NECBL – the winningest franchise in league history – and were ranked as the overall No. 1 summer collegiate baseball team in the country by Perfect Game USA in 2012.
For more information about the Newport Gulls, visit facebook.com/newportgulls, follow the Gulls on Twitter @NewportGulls or visit www.newportgulls.com.