As usual, there’s so much going on in the youth sports world—but we’re staying on top of it.

So much so that our pres Jeremy Goldberg (heard of him?) just took a trip to visit a bunch of our partners on the West Coast to see what they’re up to and what it means for the youth sports industry going forward. Things like tournament entries, recreational models, hospitality, and facilities were all top of mind during this trip.

You can read about his trip here in Jeremy’s first edition of 10 Things I Think I Think About Youth Sports. 

Beyond that, here’s what happened over the last week:

Youth Sports News

1. The Women’s Sports Foundation released a report that examines the relationship between girl’s sports participation and their mental health.

2. A West Hazleton man was arraigned Wednesday on allegations he disrupted a youth basketball game and assaulted a Hazleton Area school police officer.

3. The Native Youth Olympics in Anchorage, Alaska, is a three-day celebration of Indigenous culture in the form of games that mimic hunting and survival techniques that Alaska Natives in the Arctic region have relied on for thousands of years.

4. This Baltimore father and son basketball game depicts the importance of empowering Baltimore’s youth.

5. [VIDEO] The Orlando Magic surprised kids of the Boys and Girls Club in Parramore with tickets to Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs this past weekend.

6. Over the last decade, MLB fans have gotten younger—causing youth baseball participation to increase as well.

7. MLS NEXT announced eight expansion clubs for its national youth leagues for the 2024-25 season—from the U13 level up to U19.

8. Brooklyn Nets player Cam Johnson and Ticketmaster teamed up for a surprise that left 20 young Brooklynites beaming with excitement as they announced a basketball camp scholarship to help the athletes live out their hoop dreams.

9. MLB and TX Rangers and TX Rangers Baseball Foundation announced the 2024 All-Star Legacy initiative, which will make a combined investment of nearly $7 million into projects aimed at providing access to baseball and softball for youth, while also supporting local veterans and diverse communities.

10. [VIDEO] A new youth sports complex opened in Kansas City.

11. Future NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, a one-time AAU athlete, is chair of the newly launched AAU Alumni Youth Basketball Advisory Council.

12. USA Triathlon today announced the launch of USA Kids Tri Colorado, the next program of the USA Kids Tri initiative, a financial commitment to supporting grassroots programming to grow youth triathlon and multisport by introducing the sport and its lifelong health benefits to a wide range of kids in schools and communities in select markets across the United States.

13. 200 female athletes from eight Hillsborough County high school flag football teams attended a networking event about careers for women in sports last Tuesday, put on by ESPN commentator Tiffany Greene.

14. A collaborative research project from Little League, the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport (CHJS) and DePaul University psychologist Jocelyn Carter aims to find ways coaches can keep girls playing sports for longer.

This Weekend’s Wins

1. Congrats Florida Elite Soccer Academy 2011 ECNL Boys on qualifying for the ECNL National Playoffs!

2. Congratulations Vipers Hockey Club U18 Midget Narlock for taking second place in the Chicago Spring Classic This Weekend!

3. Congratulations Vipers Hockey Club Peewee Major, who took first place in the Battle on the Border AA Level!

4. Congrats Vipers Hockey Peewee Minor who took first place in the Battle on the Border A1 level!

5. 501 Volley Teams showed up and went Bid Collecting at the Delta Region Bid Qualifier!

6. Congratulations North 16 Elite Lane on a second place finish and bid secured to USAV Nationals in Las Vegas!

7. Congrats MVVC Volley 18 Red on an amazing season!

8. 501 Volley 16.1 National Team, congrats on your bid secured to Nationals!

9. NKYVC 12 Tide finished GOLD Runner-Ups in the Aces Challenge! Congratulations to Coach Maddi and the girls—didn’t drop a set until the finals against Tsunami.

10. Tsnumani Volleyball South 17 Elite Michael, congrats on your first place finish and 10-0 record, as well as your bid to USAV nationals!

11. A big congratulations goes out to the EMSC Eagles Boys 2010 Green Team who captured the PISL Provincial Title this past weekend!

12. EVO 2015b Grey took first place this weekend at the Rumble on the River tournament!

Youth Sports Resources

1. 10 Things I Think I Think About Youth Sports

2. These Reports Will Tell You Who Loves Your Programming

3.  This Writing Contest is for Student Athletes Grades 10-12

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Congratulations on an epic career, Candace Parker!