One might argue this is one of the most exciting times of year in spectator sports.

With the March Madness underway and MLB Opening Day around the corner, competition is in the air.

It’s no different in the youth sports world, with tournament after tournament each weekend. The good news is, participation in tournaments can help your team develop skills, build teamwork and sportsmanship, increase confidence, network and recruit, and so much more.

That’s why we ❤️ tournaments! So much so, we’re spotlighting fourteen different teams below for their tournament wins this past weekend. (If you’ve been paying attention, you know we do this every week 😉).

Has your org been featured yet? Tag us in your wins on social (@LeagueApps) so we don’t miss you.

Play ball!

Youth Sports News

1. This PSAL boys basketball championship was canceled due to an age eligibility violation.

2. Gatorade produced a short film with UConn’s Paige Buecker about her injury recovery and comeback titledShine Your Light to encourage young girls to go after their athletic dreams.

3. Speaking of Gatorade, this Hawaii girls’ basketball player Lola Donez was chosen as Gatorade’s player of the year.

4. The fourth annual Rise Up Sports Media Awards in Lexington, Kentucky, brought together some of the state’s best female youth athletes to be recognized in various categories.

5. The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey will gather leaders in youth sports this April to examine the link between athletics and opioid misuse, and discuss methods to protect youth athletes throughout the state. The conference will focus on providing a thorough understanding of the opioid crisis and its specific effects on athletes.

6. UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close says “outcome-oriented thinking” in coaching is really empty.

7. A 2023 participation report recently found that baseball participation nationwide has seen a 108% increase from 2014.

8. The rate of injury in youth sports has spiked in the last decade, and this Physical Therapist says it’s specifically repetitive overuse injuries. The solution, he says, is to screen the movement patterns of our youth athletes before the season starts, to pick out specific weaknesses and range of motion limitations.

9. Girls flag football is officially a Philadelphia Public League sport!

10. Caitlin Clark just beat Steph Curry’s 3-point record, with 164 points vs his 162.

This Weekend’s Wins

1. Madfrog Volleyball 16 National Green is headed to NATIONALS in Vegas! Plus, 11 National Green was this weekend’s Texas Classic Champs.

2. Congratulations to Coach Carlos of San Diego Surf Soccer Club & his Surf 2015 Select Boys and Coach Edgar & his Surf 2014 Academy Girls — both are SoCal Soccer League State Cup Champions!

3. Congratulations to #Skyline18Royal libero, Mckenna Brand (UConn), on being selected as the libero for Volleyball Mag’s Dream Team!

4. NJ Colonials 18U AA Blue are Atlantic District Champions, winning 5–3 and clinching the title with a come from behind 5–4 ivctory!

5. Pelican State volleyball Club 14 Gray team won their third gold win of the season and second back-to-back! Plus, 12 Gray won the Ignite Inferno.

6. Bay Area Volleyball Club 16-Sal placed first in the 16s Division at Golden State Classic, and 17 Andrea placed first in the 17/18 division

7. Athletics Mercado HRL 2013 brought home hardware at SoCal Fastpitch Triple Crown!

8. Texas Blaze Fastpitch Blaze 2K15 clinched victory in this weekend’s tournament — outperforming 32 other teams! Plus, 2K13 came third in this weekend’s USSSA Lonestar Elite tournament. Texas Blaze LTK 12U finished this weekend undefeated at the Shamrock Showdown.

9. Gabby Reynolds of Michigan Sports Academy won the Mick McCabe Miss Basketball Award!

10. Lots of wins for FC Richmond Magic and Mystx Elite teams at the Virginia Beach Spring Classic Tournament this weekend!

11. Congrats to Reston Raiders Hockey Club Girls 12U AA on another successful tournament — Ponytail 12U Champs!

12. Team Pineapple 18 Black won the gold championship of 18 Open at Adidas Bluegrass!

13. Chicago Hawks Hockey Club U14-A Girls secured their second in at Central Districts with a decisive 6–0 win!

14. Southern Soccer Academy 2009 boys are Champions of the USL Academy cup in Tampa Florida!

Social Spotlight

Former NHL player turned mental health counselor discusses the effects untreated mental health issues have on athletic performance:

Resources

1. How Attending Tournaments will Make Your Youth Sports Organization Stronger

2. Four Easy Rules for Running a Successful Tournament or Event