Party in the Park gallery
In every game, Sting players impress their fans with layups and three-pointers on the court. They are used to hearing fans chant their names and applaud an exciting play. But they aren’t so used to impressing fans with their artistic talent and entertaining dance moves, as they did Tuesday at a local Charlotte park.
The Sting team hosted a Party in the Park for Kids Club members as a thank you and celebration for their dedication to the team during the season. The Kids Club is a group of kids who attend all Sting home games, and in return they receive Sting merchandise and exclusive benefits, such as basketball clinics and meet-and-greets with the players.
They were treated to a fun-filled evening of arts-and-crafts, athletics and pizza. At the stations, kids could tie-dye Sting T-shirts, draw Sting players, get WNBA tattoos and play inflatable basketball games. Everything was run by the players, so kids could interact with them and get autographs and pictures.
“It’s important to give back to the community, and we have a good time doing so,” guard Kelly Mazzante said. “These kids come and support us each and every game, and it’s nice for them to have an opportunity to see us on a one-on-one level.”
“This event was really fun, and things like this are important because we are role models to these kids,” forward Tangela Smith said. “We try to entertain them, and they entertain us as well by the smiles that we see on their faces.”
And smiles were certainly prevalent at the park, as the kids were enthusiastic and eager to meet their favorite WNBA stars.
“Today allowed the kids to get familiar with the players, and it lets the kids know that this can be something that they strive to be,” said Lisa McCauley, who brought her eight-year-old niece. “This gives them the opportunity to meet their role models.”
With popular music playing loudly in the background, the players often broke into impromptu dance moves and involved the kids as well. They encouraged everyone around them to start dancing, and the kids grinned from ear-to-ear as they were acknowledged by the Sting players. Forward Monique Currie and a young boy had a dance-off, and at one point, Smith led the entire park in the “Cha Cha Slide.”
“We’re just having fun,” Smith said. “We want to give the kids an opportunity to see another side of us besides basketball.”
“It’s good for our fans to see us in other environments,” center Tammy Sutton-Brown said. “Interacting with the kids is great, and it gives them a chance to see us up close. We can sign autographs and take pictures with them, which will hopefully provide them with good memories.”
Those in attendance appreciated the effort and enthusiasm that the players put forth to make this day special for them.
“It’s all goodwill. It’s really about coming out and having a presence in the community. The more that you make yourself visible to the community, the more the community will be there for you,” said Jolynn Mata, who brought her 11-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter. “The Sting are really involved in the community, and we love them for that.”
The Sting appreciate the encouragement that the Kids Club gives to them throughout the year, and they acknowledge that they wouldn’t have been as successful without their fans this season.
“I want to thank the Kids Club for everything they have done this year,” Mazzante said. “They have always cheered us on and been really supportive. It’s also a good opportunity for them to see professional basketball and know that there is a future for them.”
“We hear the Kids Club at every game, and they are great fans,” Sutton-Brown said. “They are the reason that we are here and that we continue to play and work hard every day.”
