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Disney Cruise Line and ESPN Team Up to Boost Bahamian Youth Sports
Disney Cruise Line is continuing to spread magic far beyond the decks of its ships! In a heartwarming new initiative, Disney Cruise Line joined forces with ESPN’s Take Back Sports and NBA star Buddy Hield (via The Buddy Hield Foundation) to officially unveil a vibrant, newly transformed courtyard at Woodcock Primary School in Nassau, The Bahamas.
The renovated space is designed to harness the power of play, giving local students a safe, inspiring place to stay active, build confidence, and just be kids for generations to come.
This exciting transformation is part of The Play Project, an initiative launched by Disney Cruise Line in 2024 alongside the opening of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
By teaming up with local leaders and dedicated nonprofits—including love.fútbol and Good Sports—The Play Project has already transformed play spaces across Eleuthera and Nassau. To date, the project has created more than 60,000 hours of play for over 800 children across nine schools, with future expansion plans already in the works for Abaco!
The project’s huge positive impact even helped Disney secure a spot on Forbes’ 2026 List of America’s Best Brands for Social Impact.
“The purpose of this project is to give kids a more welcoming place to play, and this courtyard at Woodcock Primary School is built for exactly that,” said Rena Langley, senior vice president of Communications and Public Affairs for Disney Signature Experiences. “The Play Project helps create opportunities for children to connect, build confidence and simply enjoy being kids. Disney Cruise Line is proud to celebrate this milestone with the Nassau community and our partners across The Bahamas.”
To celebrate the court’s grand opening, representatives from Disney Cruise Line, local officials, ESPN, and Bahamian NBA star Buddy Hield gathered at Woodcock Primary School. Hield even hosted a basketball skills camp on the new court to inspire the young students.
“Growing up in The Bahamas, I know firsthand how a positive place to play can change a kid’s life. Hosting today’s basketball skills camp is all about passing that gift forward,” shared Buddy Hield. “The Buddy Hield Foundation is thrilled to team up with Disney Cruise Line and our collaborators on The Play Project here in Nassau… showing them that their dreams matter and their community is fully behind them.”
The updated courtyard features brand-new basketball rims, a freshly repaved court, and a stunning, vibrant mural painted by local Bahamian artist Angelika Wallace-Whitfield—infusing the space with true Bahamian pride.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technology Chester Cooper also shared his gratitude for the partnership:
“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in an environment that nurtures their full potential… We are grateful to Disney Cruise Line for investing in spaces that promote healthy development, teamwork and lifelong learning for Bahamian children.”
This exciting court transformation highlights Disney Cruise Line’s long-term, year-round commitment to supporting local communities in The Bahamas while furthering ESPN’s Take Back Sports mission to keep kids active and engaged in athletics.
We love seeing Disney use its magic to make a real, lasting impact in the communities its ships call home!
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