Disney Cruise Line, alongside The Buddy Hield Foundation and ESPN’s Take Back Sports, celebrated the unveiling of a newly transformed courtyard at Woodcock Primary School. The inspiring new sports space was created to encourage the power of play and bring joy, movement, and opportunities for generations of students to come!
The new facilities are a result of The Play Project, an initiative introduced by Disney Cruise Line in 2024 with the opening of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Working alongside community leaders and nonprofit organizations, play spaces across The Bahamas have been transformed, creating more than 60,000 hours of play for over 800 children at nine schools in Eleuthera and Nassau, with future projects planned for Abaco. The Play Project is a part of the broader commitment to investing in programs that support local communities in The Bahamas and beyond, which was recently recognized 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, which includes Disney Cruise Line. “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.”
Representatives from Disney Cruise Line, local leaders, Woodcock Primary School, ESPN’s Take Back Sports and nonprofit organizations, including love.fútbol and Good Sports, joined Bahamian NBA player Buddy Hield for the celebration.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in an environment that nurtures their full potential,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technology Chester Cooper. “The expansion of The Play Project from Eleuthera to Nassau demonstrates the power of meaningful partnerships. We are grateful to Disney Cruise Line for investing in spaces that promote healthy development, teamwork and lifelong learning for Bahamian children.”
The Buddy Hield Foundation supports programs that foster youth sportsmanship and leadership across The Bahamas while highlighting Bahamian voices and bringing world-class athletic programming to communities.
“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,” said NBA player Buddy Hield, founder of The Buddy Hield Foundation. “The Buddy Hield Foundation is thrilled to team up with Disney Cruise Line and our collaborators on The Play Project here in Nassau, bringing world-class athletic experiences directly to these kids, showing them that their dreams matter and their community is fully behind them.”
To infuse the space with local pride and inspiration, the courtyard includes new basketball rims, a repaved court and a vibrant mural painted by local Bahamian artist Angelika Wallace-Whitfield.
The transformation at Woodcock Primary School continues Disney Cruise Line’s year-round, long-term commitment to The Bahamas and strengthens ESPN’s Take Back Sports mission of encouraging more kids to play sports.
ABOUT DISNEY CRUISE LINE IN THE BAHAMAS
In addition to The Play Project, Disney Cruise Line supports Bahamian communities in a variety of ways including working with schools, sponsoring educational and cultural programs, supporting Junior Junkanoo, providing career exploration, and helping combat food insecurity.
Recent efforts include:
Supporting local schools by identifying and donating needed supplies, books and other resources.
Funding career exploration, job-shadowing and leadership development opportunities through Junior Achievement Bahamas and the University of The Bahamas’ Leading Light Programme.
Partnering with the Agricultural Development Organization to build community gardens at Ranfurly Homes for Children in Nassau and at schools across The Bahamas, including Patrick J. Bethel High School in Abaco.
Sponsoring LJM Maritime Academy scholarships and summer camps, while providing students with opportunities to explore careers in the maritime industry aboard Disney Cruise Line ships.
Collaborating with The Bahamas Feeding Network to organize and pack meal kits for families across Bahamian communities.
Spreading holiday joy by donating Disney-themed toys to local schools and surprising students with special visits from Mickey Mouse.
Stay tuned to The Main Street Mouse for more Disney Cruise Line news as we see it.
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