Foundation builds on proven momentum with new 2026 initiatives focused on youth opportunity through sport, education and wellness
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation U.S. reaffirms Amanda Player Hall’s leadership as President and Executive Director, as she continues to guide the Foundation’s U.S. operations into its next phase of growth and national impact.
Re-established in the United States in 2022, the Foundation has rapidly emerged as a leader in youth-focused philanthropy, raising more than $5 million and positively impacting more than 40,000 children in just three years.
Under Player Hall’s hands-on leadership, the organization has earned recognition for its transparency, collaboration and measurable results for underprivileged children.
Player Hall, daughter of golf legend Gary Player, carries forward the lifelong mission she shared with her parents by using sport, education and wellness as powerful tools to help children overcome adversity and unlock long-term opportunity.
“Building on my parents’ philanthropic legacy is the greatest honor of my life,” said Player Hall. “They believe deeply in the power of education, health and community to change lives. Our focus is on creating environments where children are supported, challenged and given the tools to build a meaningful future.”
Building on its successes since 2022, the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation U.S. is preparing to launch a series of new, purpose-built initiatives in 2026 designed to directly serve underprivileged children and families in urban communities across the country. These upcoming efforts will start in Philadelphia and emphasize:
- Sport as a pathway to discipline, confidence and healthy living, drawing on the values long associated with Gary Player
- Academic enrichment and literacy development during critical out-of-school hours
- Character, leadership and life-skills training that extends beyond the classroom
- Family engagement and wellness support to strengthen entire communities
The Foundation’s evolving approach reflects a shift toward scalable, data-driven programs that address gaps in access to quality opportunities, particularly during the critical after-school hours when youth are most vulnerable to negative outcomes.
With Gary Player continuing to serve as global ambassador and advocate, Player Hall oversees U.S. strategy, Foundation partnerships, governance, and program development. Her leadership has helped position the Foundation as both a trusted philanthropic partner and a catalyst for long-term, sustainable change.
By leveraging the Players’ legacy alongside modern program design and strong civic and corporate partnerships, the Foundation is laying the groundwork for expansion into additional U.S. cities, with the long-term goal of creating a national model that can be replicated in communities most in need.
“Our responsibility is not just to honor the past,” Player Hall added. “It’s to build something that will serve children for generations to come.”
For more information about the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation U.S. and its mission, visit garyandvivienneplayerfoundation.org.