A local organization called Sports in Schools has donated $15,000 to help Renton School District reinstate C-team basketball programs in all Renton high schools, according to the school district.

C-teams provide athletic opportunities for high school freshmen and sophomores who aren’t ready to compete at the junior-varsity or varsity level, according to the district press release.

District C-team sports were cut in 2009 as one of many reductions to balance the district budget without cutting teaching positions.

The Sports in Schools funding — which is the largest donation the organization has made to any school district — will provide half of  the $30,000 needed for coaches, transportation and officiating costs to reinstate six boys and girls basketball C-team programs this school year. The district will review budget considerations for creating other C-teams in future years.

Sports in Schools, based in West Seattle, works to help fund school sports programs sanctioned by the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA).

“Connecting kids to their schools is so important,” said Will Niccolls, executive director of Sports in Schools. “The research is clear that athletics is one of the best ways to keep kids engaged in school, give kids a chance to do something positive after school, and to  provide kids healthy connections to their peers.”

Sports in Schools is a non-profit organization funded by a few corporate partners and citizen donations on their website.