Virginia Amateur Sports, INC

Virginia Amateur Sports Inc. (VAS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Roanoke. VAS is governed by a board of directors made up of members from localities across the state.

VAS directs several events throughout the year, including the Virginia Commonwealth Games, the largest multi-sport festival held in Virginia each year.

Virginia Commonwealth Games Going into its 37th year, this annual event is held in July (for most sports.) This multi-sport festival is supported by a grassroots volunteer network, businesses, and governments of the Commonwealth. The Games have an estimated over $6 million economic impact on the area. Attracting more than 295,000 athletes, their families, plus spectators during the past 36 years, this competition features nearly 35 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.

How they got started 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 1992, the Games were officially called the Commonwealth Games of Virginia, and in 2006, were renamed the Coventry Commonwealth Games of Virginia, a reflection of a new title sponsor of the Games. In 1990, the initial Games drew 4,400 athletes competing in 29 sports. In 2015, over 55 sports were offered with approximately 9,200 athletes. In October, 2011, the Games were renamed once again to the Subway Commonwealth Games of Virginia thanks to the title sponsorship of Subway. In October 2015, the Games were renamed once again to the Virginia Commonwealth Games at Liberty University, thanks to the title sponsorship of Liberty University and many of the sports were moved to the Lynchburg area or Liberty's campus with the sponsorship. Beginning in 2026, the Games will start a new chapter in the Richmond Region!

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.

Funding 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 their 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.

Support With its dedication to a tradition of excellence & with a staff of four, VAS relies heavily on outside support. That support includes 1,000 volunteers, 40+ volunteer sport coordinators, a volunteer local organizing committee made up of 15 individuals with representatives from the Richmond Region, other business professionals, volunteers from the medical profession field, security and police departments, and the VAS board of directors.

To promote awareness and benefits of physical fitness and healthy lifestyles through sports education, training & competition.

VAS directs more than 10 events throughout the year, including the Virginia Commonwealth Games, the largest multi-sport festival held in Virginia each year.