# Free sports day at an Oakland park

> A Saturday clinic at Ira Jinkins Park let kids try sports without a registration fee standing in the way.
- Title: Free sports day at an Oakland park · ABC7 Los Angeles
- Summary: A Saturday clinic at Ira Jinkins Park let kids try sports without a registration fee standing in the way. Cost is what keeps most kids off the field, so a…
- Keywords: oakland, youth sports, community, disney, nonprofit, news, local, Free, sports, day, park, ABC7 Los Angeles
- Source: ABC7 Los Angeles — https://abc7.com/post/ira-jinkins-park-oakland-hosts-free-take-back-sports-event-kids-disney-jr-espn-every-kid/19825332
- Published: 2026-09-13T20:22:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: oakland, youth sports, community, disney, nonprofit, news, local
## A park turned into a field day
Ira Jinkins Park in Oakland hosted a free sports event for young kids on Saturday, part of a national push by ESPN, Disney Jr. and Every Kid Sports.
## The real barrier is money
Organizers say plenty of kids never learn the fundamentals because families cannot cover the fees. For one day, the price tag disappeared.

> Kids don't get the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of these sports or participate due to the cost.
## Mickey showed up
Mickey Mouse made a surprise appearance and kids were pushed out onto the field to actually play, not just watch.
## Families, not just kids
KGO-TV's president and general manager called it an event for whole families, framing it as part of Disney's ongoing work with kids and communities.

> It's just, it's a wonderful event for all the kids and families.
## Snacks, books and resources
Oakland's own Eat. Learn. Play. set up on site, handing out healthy snacks, books and other resources to the children who came through.
## How to get help
Every Kid Sports takes applications for support with youth sports costs at everykidsports.org, so the help does not end when the clinic does.
## Key takeaway

Cost is what keeps most kids off the field, so a free clinic is not a small gesture, it is the whole barrier removed for a day.