The Extracurricular Gap.
Founders Victoria Oderich and Avery Smith grew up immersed in competitive dance and volleyball, experiencing firsthand how access to athletics and the arts can shape personal growth, confidence, and self-expression. Today, that access is increasingly out of reach. Since 2019, the average family’s spending on a single child’s primary sport has risen by 46%, as many programs have adopted a “pay-to-play” model that prioritizes prestige and profit over exploration and self-discovery. The rising costs of coaching, equipment, materials, and program fees have pushed countless children to the sidelines, cutting them off from opportunities to uncover and pursue their passions. Driven by their own experiences, Avery and Victoria are committed to leveling the playing field by providing sports and arts mentorship, equipment, and accessible opportunities to underserved communities in the Houston area and Brazil.
Our Philosophy
Access to proper gear and equipment is often the turning point between having an interest and being able to turn that interest into a passion. A student may be curious about art, but without paints, brushes, or a sketchbook, that curiosity has nowhere to grow. Similarly, an interest in sports can fade quickly without the basic equipment needed to participate, practice, and improve. Equipment is not just a tool but an entry point. It allows young people to experiment, make mistakes, and build confidence in their abilities. Without that access, talent and motivation can go unrealized. In this way, gear and equipment do more than support creative or athletic interests—they make it possible for passions to begin, develop, and be sustained.
Our Team
Avery Smith
Avery Smith is a senior at Memorial High School. She comes from a family that highly values sports and, as a result, has dedicated a significant portion of her life to various athletic endeavors. Avery has excelled in competitive gymnastics, dance, diving, track and field, lacrosse, and now volleyball. As a passionate sports enthusiast, she aspires to pursue a career in the field and potentially by working in the National Football League (NFL).
Victoria Oderich
Victoria Oderich is a senior at the Kinkaid School. Victoria began dancing and gymnastics at age three. At eight years old, she began competing at the national and regional level in contemporary, jazz, tap, pointe, and hip-hop styles. Victoria placed first at Masquerade Nationals Junior Soloist division (2019) and has received several convention scholarships, including from JUMP, NYCDA, Dupree, and Intrigue Dance Conventions. Now, Victoria dances with the Kinkaid Dance Program and attends master classes at VDanse, the Dance Barre, and Sound Box Studios.
Acknowledgements
We'd like to give a special thanks to mentors Gina Gaston and Thanila Macedo for guiding Avery and Victoria through the creation of Extraquipment. Extraquipment thanks its Kinkaid club members: Harris Kirmani, Jonathan Sweetland, Sloane Thompson, Alex Shaw, Sahasra Thakkar, Elizabeth Marshall, Lillie Morgan, Madison Schmulen, Kavin Mukerji, Ellie Ott and Madeline Peters. The community we've built and your continued support and work towards EQ's mission has been invaluable.