Sometimes the best community events are the simplest ones with a little friendly competition, a welcoming environment and maybe a box of donuts to bring people together. That is exactly the idea behind the upcoming Donuts and Dodgeball event hosted by DaVille Athletics on April 11. The event is the latest initiative from DaVille Athletics founder Semaj Street, whose organization focuses on athletic development, mentorship and building opportunities for youth athletes across the Fayetteville area.
“DaVille Athletics is a sports and performance organization focused on developing and enhancing athletic performance for youth to professional athletes,” Street said. “Our mission is to provide access to high-quality training, mentorship and character development for athletes in Fayetteville and the surrounding area.”
Street founded the organization after recognizing a need in the community for structured training and mentorship programs for young athletes. While many students had talent and passion for sports, not all had access to the resources needed to reach their potential.
“I saw a gap where many kids had talent but didn’t always have access to structured training, mentorship or positive guidance,” Street said. “I wanted to build something that could provide those opportunities while also creating a supportive community around youth athletics.”
That sense of community is exactly what inspired the upcoming Donuts and Dodgeball event. After discussing the concept with Fayetteville Next and the Dogwood Festival organization, Street saw an opportunity to create something that was simple, welcoming and fun for people of all ages.
“The idea behind Donuts and Dodgeball was to create something fun, simple and community-focused,” Street explained. “Dodgeball is something everyone can enjoy, and adding donuts just makes it even more fun and welcoming.”
The event will feature organized dodgeball games, friendly competition and plenty of opportunities for attendees to connect with others in the community. Participants can expect a high-energy atmosphere where laughter and teamwork take center stage.
“Attendees can expect a fun environment where people can come together, play dodgeball, connect and enjoy some good donuts,” Street said. “It’s really about having fun, being active and bringing people together.”
Unlike many sports events that focus strictly on competition, Donuts and Dodgeball is designed to be inclusive and open to everyone.
“The event is designed for everyone in the community,” Street said. “The goal is to create an inclusive event where people of all ages can participate, connect and have a good time.”
For Street, events like this reflect the broader mission of DaVille Athletics. While training and athletic development remain central to the organization’s work, building relationships and fostering positive environments are equally important.
“Sports are not just about competition,” he said. “They’re about community, teamwork and having fun.”
Since launching DaVille Athletics, Street has seen countless rewarding moments as young athletes develop confidence and grow both physically and mentally.
“Watching kids gain confidence, improve their skills and realize their potential makes it all worth it,” he said. “Seeing athletes improve their performance, win championships or even earn college opportunities keeps me motivated.”
Community support plays a major role in helping the organization continue to grow. Partnerships with local businesses, sponsors and community members allow DaVille Athletics to expand its programs and reach more young athletes. Looking ahead, Street hopes to continue building opportunities for Fayetteville’s youth through sports, mentorship and community engagement. “Our goal is to expand programs, reach more youth athletes and become a positive force in the Fayetteville community,” he said. The Donuts and Dodgeball event will take place on April 11 beginning at 10 a.m., bringing together members of the Fayetteville community for a morning of fun, connection and friendly competition.
To register for Donuts and Dodgeball, either as a team or as a single player, visit https://www.eventeny.com/events/donutsanddodgeball-23572/.DaVille Athletics is located at 1116 Chairman St.