You know what’s more mad than March Madness? All of the ups and downs in the youth sports industry right now.

On one hand, the headlines of dangerous situations with youth sports coaches and parents keep populating our timeline. On the other, governments are finally stepping in to propose safety bills as well as provide funding for organizations that deserve it.

Not to mention, the amazing organizations that keep providing happy experiences on the field and court in spite of all of the craziness are celebrating their hard-earned wins — and we are too!

Read on for this week’s Youth Sports Highlight Reel:

News

1. [VIDEO] A 37-year-old youth soccer coach was arrested for an alleged relationship with a 16-year-old girl, whom he coached.

2. A youth advocate in Brooklyn is proposing Midnight Brooklyn Youth Sports Clubs, which would offer sports, educational programs like GED classes, and mental health services to keep teens off the streets during vulnerable hours and provide them with positive alternatives.

3. Nine youth sports organizations throughout Schenectady County will benefit from over $140,000 in funding from the county’s Youth Bureau through the State Office of Children and Family Services.

4. Google and the Atlanta Hawks are collaborating on the Lady Ballers Program, a youth basketball participation and development program for girls between the ages of 6 and 18.

5. A professor of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine at the University of California San Francisco shares insights on youth sports specialization and injury.

6. This youth basketball organization had nine players qualify for the NCAA tournament this year.

7. An Anson County, NC youth basketball coach was arrested and charged with indecent liberties with a child and human trafficking.

8. Read this feature on Nova Newcomer, the Mariners’ director of community relations — whose ambition is to put the game in as many hands as possible.

9. The former Sherwood Junior Baseball Organization treasurer was charged with several counts of theft after embezzling money.

10. Nationwide, schools and governments are debating legislation that could ban transgender athletes from women’s sports — like in New Hampshire where, this Thursday, the House will vote on whether to ban transgender girls from playing on school sports teams that align with their gender identity. Parker Tirrell, a 15 year old who has been playing on the girls’ soccer team in New Hampshire since eighth grade, shares her fears of getting the sport taken away from her.

11. Former MLB outfielder Eric Byrnes authored a book to encourage a fearless and free environment for youth athletescalled Let Them Play: A Parenting and Coaching Guide to Youth Sports.

12. [VIDEO] This proposed Colorado youth sports safety billwould require youth sports organizations to mandate that coaches take abuse prevention training and keep track of those who have done that training.

13. [VIDEO] This Junior Varsity baseball player in South Carolina isn’t letting his rare genetic visual impairment stop him from success on the pitcher’s mound.

14. Rutter’s Children’s Charities is hosting a $50,000 Youth Sports Giveawaythrough April 22 for local 501 C3 youth sports leagues or teams — 50 will be chosen to receive a $1,000 donation for use towards uniforms, equipment, travel expenses, and more.

15. These are the finalists for the Gatorade National HIgh School Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

16. This heartwarming story shares how baseball turned two strangers — a coach and a plate — into family.

17. After a Philadelphia assessment of Play Spaces and Programs found safety and appearance concerns at 20% of locations (with 24% of assessed deemed unusable due to poor lighting graffiti, and litter), the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative is urging City Council to increase its Parks & Rec budget and consider the importance of long-term maintenance.

18. The Boston Community Engagement Cabinet announced the Mayor’s Youth Sports Grant — which will distribute up to $80,000 to non-profit organizations aiming to eliminate barriers of entry for student athletes.

19. This eight year old practices his free throws in his elementary school gym every morning — and now he’s headed to the Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals in Chicago.

20. The Edwin J. Wadas Foundation recently joined forces with the American Heart Association to provide free CPR and First Aid in Youth Sports Training Kits

This Weekend’s Wins

1. Congratulations FC Stars 2012 Boys Blue on winning the Seacoast United Boys March Invitational this weekend!

2. Lilly Horton, Madeline Hansen, Emerson Fritz, and Kaylan Kapsen of Edina Hockey Association (15UA Green) have won FOUR state championships in a row!

3. Congrats SG Elite VBC 14 Rosh on winning the SCVA Tournament!

4. Shout out to Vimy Ridge Academy students Mikail L., Isabella R., Ashley T., Charlee D. and Emma T. from EG601 — the 2023–2024 EFHL U15 Female Tier 1 Champions! They were undefeated in playoffs and are off to Hockey Alberta Provincials in Cold Lake.

5. 8 Boston Jr. Eagles teams are headed to USA Hockey Nationals — they are 1 of 4 Youth organizations to send teams to all 4 Tier I tournaments!

6. Congrats Ridgefield Hockey Lions 10U AA on another Gold at the New England Regional Tournament in RI!

7. A congratulations to Chicago Hawks U16 Boys who will be heading to the USA Hockey National Championships in Dallas, Texas April 3–7! Good luck boys!

8. Congrats to all of the athletes at SynergyForce Volleyball Club who were selected for JVA Watchlist Honors!

9. Amarillo Xtreme Volleyball 14 TTK had a big win on day two of the MEQ Qualifier this weekend in St. Louis!

10. Metro VBC 18T triple qualified for USAV GJNC in 18 Open! This makes history for the club — the group has reached the gold bracket in every single one of their qualifiers this season.

11. Congratulations West Florida Flames U14 Boys Premier team on winning first place at the 2024 Central Florida Invitational Tournament!

12. Weston FC U13, U14, U16, and U17 teams shined with victories this weekend!

13. Congratulations to Northern Lights Volleyball 13–1 team for placing 1st in 13 USA at the Mizuno Northern Lights Qualifier!

14. Congrats on all the wins this weekend Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball! 18 ELITE- 1st in GOLD- OVA Three Rivers Showdown Tournament champs, 16 BLACK- 1st in GOLD- Edinboro Tournament champs, 15 BLACK- 1st in GOLD- Edinboro Tournament champs, 15 GOLD- 1st in GOLD- Club Hollywood Tournament, 12 GOLD- 2nd in GOLD- Edinboro Tournament , and 12 BLACK- 3rd in GOLD- OVA Three Rivers Showdown Tournament.

15. Congratulations San Antonio Juniors on all of the wins this weekend at the CTPL #4 tournament in Round Rock! 14 Adidas — 1st Place, 14 National — 2nd Place, 15 Adidas — 1st place, 15 Baden — 2nd Place, and 15 National — 3rd Place!

16. Way to go Junior Coyotes Hockey 10U Elite team for earning the top state title in the 10U Pinnacle Division!

17. 1st Alliance Volleyball Club 15 Black played their hearts out in St. Louis for 3 days straight and walked away with a Bronze medal in 15 USA and a ticket to Vegas!

18. Texas Tornados 18 Adidas upgraded to a USA bid at Lone Star Regionals and will compete at USAV Nationals in Baltimore! Congrats to this team!

19. Congratulations Virginia Soccer Association U9 2015G Lavelle for finishing the weekend as Finalists in the U10 Top Division at the Icebreaker tournament!

20. Let’s go Mad Frog Volleyball 13 National White on your bid to Nationals!

21. Congrats Excel Volleyball club on all of the wins this weekend — Boys 14 White finish 2nd in the 15s division of the Adidas Open, Boys 13 Red finish 3rd, and 11 White finish 3rd!

22. Congrats to Maine Juniors Volleyball 14 gold getting 1st place in AAU #3 in Fitchburg in 14 open!

23. Congratulations toTexas Blaze 2K15 for their finish this weekend in the USA softball March Madness tournament!

24. Congrats Mizuno Long Beach 13 Rockstar C on heading to the gold bracket at the Pacific Northwest Qualifier!

Resources

1. How to Keep Teenage Girls Participating in Sports

2. Former Youth Baseball Coach Says to Give the Kid in Right Field an Infield Try