Virginia Amateur Sports Inc.

The mission of Virginia Amateur Sports Inc. (VAS) is to promote awareness and the benefits of physical fitness and healthy lifestyles through sports education, training & competition. VAS directs more than eight events throughout the year, including the Virginia Commonwealth Games, the largest multi-sport festival held in Virginia each year. VAS is active with Special Olympics, partnering with other local charities for events, and tries to play an active role in the community. Virginia Commonwealth Games, launching its 37th year, this annual event held in July (for most sports). This multi-sport festival is supported by a grassroots volunteer network, businesses, and the local governments. The Games have an estimated $6+ million economic impact on the area annually. Attracting more than 300,000 athletes, their families, plus spectators over the past 36 years, this competition features 30+ individual & team sports, including basketball, softball, swimming, and more. The Games are open to all ages and skill levels for any resident in Virginia and the surrounding states without a State Games.

With the Games each year, we host a Kids Clinic for inner city children that is presented by a well known athlete. The Clinic encourages the children to be active, providing them with additional opportunities, as well as providing a message of overcoming obstacles to achieve goals.

The past few years, we have partnered with Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to help raise money or bring in donations at events to support local families in need.

Our Story of Origin

In 1989, the Governor's Commission on Sports & Physical Fitness passed an endorsement that VAS would serve as the state organization to hold the State Games of Virginia. In 1990, when the Games started, VAS had secured a $175,000 grant from the state to launch the Games. By 2001, VAS lost all state funding. Despite the loss of state funding, VAS preserved and expanded its staff and programs. In 2006, Southern Health/Coventry Health Care signed on as the title sponsor of the Games and other sponsorships began to increase. With zero funding from the state, local governments increased their financial support in addition to providing fields and facilities. VAS keeps the cost to participate in the Games minimal, with the majority of funding coming from sponsors. In 2011, Southern Health Coventry Health Care had to step down as our title sponsor due to new health care laws and regulations. Subway of Virginia was proud to announce its partnership as the title sponsor of the Games, now officially known as the Subway Commonwealth Games of Virginia. In 2015, Subway announced the end of its contract as title sponsor.  Liberty University served as the title sponsor of the Games from 2016-2025.

Credentials

Virginia Amateur Sports is a member of the National Congress of State Games (NCSG) and is sanctioned and recognized by the NCSG, the Virginia High School League (VHSL), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and recognized by the United States Olympic Paralympic Committee as a member of their Multi-Sports Organizational Council. 

With zero funding from the state, local governments increased their financial support in addition to providing fields and facilities. VAS keeps the cost to participate in the Games minimal, with the majority of funding coming from sponsors. We are so appreciative of our corporate partners. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us! 

Support with its dedication to a tradition of excellence & with a staff of three, VAS relies heavily on outside support. That support includes hundreds of volunteers, volunteer sport coordinators, a volunteer local organizing committee made up of representatives from local governments, other business professionals, volunteers from the medical profession field, security and police departments, and the VAS Staff. Our greatest need is for partners to help us provide opportunities to economically disadvantaged athletes and opportunities for athletes of all ages to stay active and healthy!