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This teacher needs your help!

Coach Nantze from North Little Rock, AR is requesting sports & exercise equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Coach Nantze is requesting

Ballin’ with the Heavyweights

Help me give my students weighted basketballs to help them build stamina in the gym.

  • $457 goal

This project expired on September 7, 2025.

Every donation to this project is matched 2X!
2X
Donations doubled!

This project expired on September 7, 2025.

My Project

My students are a dynamic group of middle schoolers who bring energy, curiosity, and plenty of enthusiasm to PE class. They’re always eager to try new activities, challenge themselves, and have fun while doing them. Many of them don’t have access to structured fitness opportunities outside of school, so our gym time is more than just play — it’s a chance to develop lifelong skills for health and teamwork.

Let’s be real — regular basketballs are so last season.

With your help, we’re upgrading to weighted basketballs, which are a game-changer for improving strength, coordination, and control. These training balls are heavier than standard ones, forcing students to engage their muscles more, focus harder, and refine their technique. They’ll improve their passing, dribbling, and shooting — all while getting stronger without even realizing it.

Think of it as “sneaky fitness” — they’re just playing ball, but their arms and abs are leveling up like superheroes. This project will support six weighted basketballs (29.5" sizes).

This equipment will provide a new layer of challenge and fun to our PE curriculum. It’s a great way to promote physical development while keeping students engaged. The added resistance builds endurance while teaching ball-handling skills that translate directly to real gameplay.

And let’s be honest — middle schoolers love anything that makes them feel like they’re training for the big leagues. They might groan when they feel the weight, but they’ll thank us when they’re the only 13-year-olds with biceps and handles like pros.

Coach Nantze Sylvan Hills Middle School Grades 6-8

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

North Little Rock, AR View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

Never Before Funded 800 students impacted

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Coach Nantze is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
Champion Sports Weighted Basketball Trainer, 4 Pounds, Black - Rubber - High School-College - Adult • School Specialty $49.87 6 $299.22

Materials cost

$299.22

Vendor shipping charges

$29.92

Sales tax

$24.69

3rd party payment processing fee

$4.49

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$388.32

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$68.53

Total project goal

$456.85

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

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