Mike Fernandes’ Post

People often ask why we give out sportsmanship medals and how it works. We're finally answering your burning questions 🔥 https://bit.ly/4biLJpO #sportsmanship #soccer #youthsoccer #football #flagfootball #baseball #youthbaseball #tball #moms #dads

We sat down with Wendy Hilliard, founder of the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation, and Luke Zaientz, chief strategy officer at IMG Academy, both of which sit on the board of directors of the PLAY Sports Coalition, to talk about the importance of youth sports participation. In this exclusive feature, Wendy and Luke discuss how youth sports impact young adults, what can be done to help prevent teens from dropping out of sports and more. This interview series feature is free to read! Check out more over at Sports Planning Guide. #YouthSports #SportsTourism #SportsEvents #EventPlanning #Gymnastics #TeamSports #IMGAcademy

Interesting read on youth sport cost & participation. Interesting how soccer & basketball are the top 2 youth participation sports ( presumedly across both genders).

You have something important to say don’t you? For all the time you’ve spent as a youth soccer coach, surely you have learned something of value. So why not let it be known? And not only should it be known but maybe it should even be implemented within the American youth soccer system. It’s about time an event takes place that listens to the people who play a part in progressing the game. And that is why we want to hear from you! At EvoToca we aim to be a constantly evolving youth soccer platform where the game of soccer in the US will improve, to have its players and coaches rival any other place on the planet. Is it easy? Of course not! But nothing truly great ever is. There will always be naysayers. People who believe what is difficult or a path that they cannot see today is impossible. But as the saying goes “It’s impossible until it’s done”. But we know that such a goal requires the contribution of a whole community as no one small group or individual can achieve this goal without the help of others. That is why we invite you, a youth soccer coach, to contribute to the cause of helping American youth soccer reach unprecedented heights that most consider impossible. Be daring in achieving something difficult. Be daring in achieving something that improves you as an individual and as a coach. Be daring in something that improves the level of your players. Be daring in something that moves the level of the next soccer generation in America to the next level. It won’t be easy. But with your say, your experience, your constant willingness to grow and learn, and your contribution, there is surely a way to close the gap in reaching the goal to transform American into a country that regularly produces top elite talent on a global level. #soccercoach #soccertraining #youthsoccer #soccerislife #ussoccer #footballcoaching #footballcoach

Is this a good news-bad news moment for women's sports? One can bet to their hearts content on sports from boxing to pickleball and soccer to curling. Does this mean women's sports has arrived? Will it subject female athletes to the pressures of corruption that seemingly go hand-and-hand with gambling? Time will certainly tell. "Bettors have gravitated towards numerous women’s sports leagues such as women’s tennis and women’s soccer—the 2023 Women’s World Cup being a huge focus on the sportsbook—but one league stood out last year. The WNBA was the most bet women’s sports league by both bet and handle in 2023, with women’s college basketball not far behind, ranking third." #womenssports #sportsbetting #gambling #womenscollegebasketball #womenstennis #womensworldcup https://lnkd.in/dzwCf3aw

An Innovative Pathway Model for Sport The Rugby Pathways model, conceived by Tom Jones from Canada & brought to fruition by Tihrani Uluinakauvadra from Fiji after a workshop with Fiji Schools Rugby, presents a departure from conventional player pathway designs. Departing from the rigid pyramid structure, this innovative approach dubbed the "Lilly-Pad" model, offers a fluid & adaptable framework applicable to all sports. Crucially, the model's versatility extends beyond rugby to encompass any sport. At its core, it comprises four interconnected levels: Participation, Domestic, Performance, & Recreational, symbolized by oval balls. Unlike traditional pyramid player progression, this model acknowledges the multidimensional nature of development & the diverse range of participants involved in the sport. Central to the sustainability of these levels is a robust workforce, represented by the inner oval ball. This workforce includes coaches, administrators, referees, & other stakeholders, essential for the effective operation of various programs and competitions. By emphasizing the importance of a dedicated support network, the model underscores the collective responsibility of stakeholders in nurturing & advancing the sport at all levels. A notable strength of the model lies in its flexibility & inclusivity. It caters to participants of all ages & skill levels, providing pathways for aspiring professionals & recreational enthusiasts. Furthermore, it encompasses all stakeholders involved in the sport, including coaches, administrators, volunteers, & fans, ensuring that diverse needs and aspirations are recognized & addressed within the framework. The interconnected nature of the model illustrates how participants can transition fluidly between various levels of the game. Rather than adhering to a predetermined trajectory, they are encouraged to explore various pathways based on their interests, abilities, and ambitions. Similarly, participants have the autonomy to adapt & tailor the model to suit local contexts, ensuring its relevance and responsiveness to evolving needs & preferences. By highlighting the interdependence of the four levels & the pivotal role of participants, this Pathways model promotes a collaborative & sustainable approach to sports development. It fosters partnerships between grassroots initiatives, domestic leagues, elite performance programs, & recreational activities, thus fostering a vibrant & inclusive sporting environment. In summary, the Pathways model offers a forward-thinking alternative to traditional player pathway structures. Its adaptable & inclusive framework accommodates the diverse needs & aspirations of participants & stakeholders while fostering collaboration & sustainability within the sport. As a versatile blueprint applicable to various sports, it has the potential to revolutionize sports development strategies & enhance the overall sporting experience for participants worldwide.

Some great ideas here

Oftentimes, when a polarizing topic comes into the tennis world, I look to industry leaders and colleagues for their stance and consider their opinions. Unlike the predictable consensus often found within the tennis community, pickleball's emergence seemed to have divisive opinions. So when it came to pickleball, I was inspired to cultivate my own opinion. Last year, amidst the surge of pickleball tours like the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball, and the Association of Pickleball Players, I found myself unexpectedly immersed in the bustling pickleball scene, whether I was ready for it or not. I was tasked with a unique role: managing an account for a tennis/pickleball e-learning platform and the PPA Tour. This immersive experience had me travel to eight different professional pickleball tournaments across the U.S., where I was boots on the ground, orchestrating on-site activations and engaging with spectators. Interacting with the tour and the vibrant pickleball community, I discovered a profound sense of camaraderie that transcended the sport's rapid growth. Through my involvement in pickleball tournaments and firsthand gameplay with both professional PPA players and random group pickleball matches with the ECHL Inc. Norfolk Admirals hockey team, I developed a genuine affinity for the sport. In my newest article, I explore these experiences, delving into my journey within the pickleball community and encouraging fellow tennis enthusiasts to approach pickleball with an open mind. Exploring new avenues of sports often offers boundless rewards, igniting fresh perspectives and unforeseen opportunities for growth. #SportsBusiness #Pickleball #RacquetSports https://lnkd.in/eAuC5GwE

Building a Strong Community Through Sports: The Power of Mentorship Discover the impact of being social and building connections in sports. Learn how mentorship and positive role modeling can create a sense of togetherness and inspire young athletes. #SportsCommunity #MentorshipMatters #RoleModeling #YouthAthletes #BuildingConnections #Teamwork #PositiveImpact #InspiringYouth #Sportsmanship #AthleteMentorship

Afrocat Sports Club is pioneering excellence and nurturing talent: Exclusive Interview with Founder Coach Ishitile How would you rate your performance last year (2023) Coach Ishitile : Afrocat Sports Club has been able to stamped its mark as a powerhouse in sports performances across multiple disciplines in 2023. And stepping into 2024, we plan to continues in our quest to achieve for sporting supremacy while embracing a commitment to talent development and community engagement. Can you share some achievement in 2023 Coach Ishitile : Our dominion in netball, volleyball, soccer, and tennis was felt across various courts and fields of Windhoek, Oshakati, Gobabis, and Rundu. Our netball teams displayed exceptional skills, in every city that we visited. Meanwhile, our volleyball triumphs in Windhoek and Oshakati paved Afrocat’s stature as a formidable force in the sport. In soccer, our performance, reflected the club’s dedication to excellence. Even our tennis stars showed their skill in Windhoek’s tennis courts. What’s the Vision for 2024 Coach Ishitile : Afrocat is not only about competition, our vision extends to nurturing budding talent and exploring new horizons. Initiating a Tennis Project in Windhoek stands as a testament to what we stand for. We believe in providing a platform to aspiring athletes to refine their skills. If you remember last year we introduced a Beach Volleyball Section in Oshakati and Okandjengendi, this will ensure we broaden the club’s offerings, and we are inviting sports lovers to join us in this new ventures. What Plans are lined up then? Coach Ishitile : To tell you the truth, we already started on on January 8th with our training and development program, underscoring our commitment to enhancing the growth of our athletes and their capabilities. We are very excited about 2024 activities including Afrocat’s 2024 Funday on March 3rd at Shipena SSS, this is a crucial fundraising event for the club but also an opportunity to showcase both the facilities and induct potential members and the public alike to our world of sports. You mentioned Beach Volleyball, what is the plan? Coach Ishitile : 2024 promises to be a hive of activities for the beach volleyball journey, as we will start with the Afrocat-Titans BVB tournament in May, to be followed by the Beltane Masters Beach Volleyball Tournament in July, and finally the Brimstone Medical Service King or Queen of the Court event in August. As a club we are dedication extends to the beach volleyball to the youth with the Youth Section Beach Volleyball Tournament in August, followed by the Beach Volleyball League from September to November, culminating in the grand Gwakondo Beach Volleyball Tournament in December. How do you see Afrocat integration into National Premier Leagues and Development Initiatives Coach Ishitile : While we are not about competition, it is important that we…