Providence “Varantian” Chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation - Athletics ---- Steve Elmasian
AYF Summer Olympics – Labor Day Weekend. The weekend has been taking place for 90 years starting in 1934. There was one year when the weekend was cancelled due to COVID. During World War 2, the women kept the games going as many of the men went to Europe to fight. Athletic events include golf, swimming and tennis on Friday, A softball tournament on Saturday and Sunday is reserved for Track and Field. The Providence Chapter ranks first in the number of titles with 41.
National Athletic Tournament – Takes place in February and consists of Basketball and Volleyball tournaments and is for senior members.
AYF Junior Olympics (Junior Athletic Games) (JAG) take place on the east coast and in the midwest. The east coast games are in September. They include track and field and swimming events.
AYF Junior Winter Olympics (JWO) take place in March also on the east coast and in the midwest. They include basketball and board games.
The age for AYF juniors is 10-16. Seniors are from 17-25. 16-year-old juniors can compete in the AYF Summer Olympics. Senior members can add two years of eligibility by joining the local Armenian Relief Society or Armenian Revolutionary Federation.