Business, Regional Events, Sports and Activities, Webinars

GOALS Council Welcomes Soccer Resilience to a Live Roundtable Discussing Youth Sports and Mental Health

PLANO, Texas -- The GOALS Council, a strategic advisory body formed by Stack Sports and influential youth soccer leaders in 2021, will host their second virtual roundtable tailored for youth sports enthusiasts on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, featuring a distinguished panel of industry leaders discussing pressing topics identified by the GOALS Council.

The GOALS Council welcomes a panel of industry leaders including Diego Bocanegra - Former Head Women's Soccer Coach at the University of Houston, Jen Davis - Executive Director of the South Texas Youth Soccer Association, Dr. Brad Miller - Founder of Soccer Resilience and licensed clinical psychologist, and Wells Thompson - Founder and CEO of Soccer Resilience and former professional player of Major League Soccer.

The webinar will expand upon the crucial intersection of youth sports and mental health. Stack Sports believes in an era where the pressures on young athletes seem to intensify with each passing season, understanding the profound impact of sports on mental well-being has never been more imperative. A survey conducted by the Aspen Institute among over 3,000 youth in the Tacoma, Washington area, titled "State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County," reveals a significant number of young athletes grappling with anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. According to the Aspen Institute's State of Play 2023: "More attention is being paid to the role that positive sports experiences can have on a child's mental health, given that 42% of high school students today say they have experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. That's up from 28% a decade ago. While all teens report increased mental health challenges, girls fare worse than boys."

The panel will delve into this complex landscape, exploring strategies to nurture physical prowess and the mental fortitude necessary for young athletes everywhere to thrive on and off the field.

"The GOALS Council embodies growth, organization, advancement, and learning in soccer, making it the perfect conduit to dive into key issues affecting youth sports," said Frances Fabian, Head of Partner Engagement at Sports Connect. "We are enthusiastic about this upcoming discussion and looking forward to creating actionable solutions at the community, regional, and national levels of soccer to drive positive change in the sport."

To register for the upcoming webinar, please visit https://app.livestorm.co/sportsconnect/goals-council-live-round-table. For more information about The GOALS Council, please visit their website: https://stacksports.com/goals-council.

About Stack Sports:

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations.

Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars - Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Education and Schools, Major League Rugby, Sports and Activities, Youth Flag Rugby

Major League Rugby (MLR) and Imagine Rugby announce partnership with Stack Sports’ Skyhawks

PLANO, Texas -- Skyhawks powered by Stack Sports has signed a two-year agreement with Imagine Rugby and Major League Rugby (MLR) to be their Official Youth Flag Rugby Partner. This will provide access to the Skyhawks' extensive network with programming slated to launch this summer.

Skyhawks is the country's leader in providing a safe, fun, and skill-based sports experience for children between the ages of 4 and 14. It hosts a series of camps and trainings for children across a diverse collection of sports, using those opportunities to teach life skills to its youth participants.

Imagine Rugby, as the official charity partner of MLR, is a non-profit organization focused on growing the game of rugby in the U.S. By partnering with Skyhawks, it will be able to create a new grassroots entry point to create increased exposure for boys and girls to one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S.

Imagine Rugby's primary offering is providing flag rugby implementations into physical education classes by using a state-aligned curriculum. By partnering with Skyhawks, Imagine Rugby can broaden the entry point into this amazing sport and reach significantly more children. The program will teach children how to play the game while also instilling the core rugby values of teamwork, respect, and discipline with a focus on having fun.

"Leveraging the vast network of Skyhawks offers a unique and exciting opportunity to introduce rugby to a new generation, ensuring the game's growth in the U.S. in the coming years," said CJ Hussman, the executive director of Imagine Rugby. "We will be able to achieve significantly more growth by working with Stack Sports, while also ensuring an amazing experience for both boys and girls and putting us further along the road to achieving one million active young rugby players by the 2031 and 2033 World Cups."

In addition to providing a unique opportunity for both boys and girls, Imagine Rugby is teaming with Skyhawks to build a solid foundation on which to grow flag rugby.

"We're enthusiastic about flag rugby's potential in the United States and dedicated to nurturing its growth from the ground up," said Jason Frazier, General Manager of Skyhawks. "By partnering with Major League Rugby (MLR) and Imagine Rugby, we're taking a significant step forward in fulfilling our mission to grow participation and expanding opportunities for rugby players nationwide."

Central to this effort is the development of a beginner's level coaching training program that will help bolster coaching and refereeing participation corresponding to the rise in youth engagement. This will provide additional employment opportunities for MLR players, as well as local club coaches and players who are interested in exploring coaching and youth sports as a career.

About Imagine Rugby

Imagine Rugby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the official charity partner for Major League Rugby whose primary focus is on growth of grassroots play of rugby. Their mission is to get a rugby ball into the hands of every kid across the U.S. with a goal of one million youth actively playing rugby by the 2031 & 33 World Cups in the U.S. The breadth of the Imagine program includes Flag Rugby, Community Colleges and Academy Rugby. The primary focus is on flag rugby implementations in School PE classes, already having more than 650 school actively participating nationwide.

About Major League Rugby:

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league entering its sixth season that represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018 to 12 teams in 2023, featuring 11 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on Fox Sports, among other national and local market platforms. Select matches are available to stream live in North America on The Rugby Network, and all matches are available on The Rugby Network for international fans. MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition, while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more information about MLR, visit https://www.majorleague.rugby/.

About Skyhawks:

Founded in Spokane, Washington in 1979, Skyhawks has established itself as one of the largest youth sports program providers in North America. Skyhawks provides a wide variety of fun, safe and positive programs that emphasize critical lessons by "teaching life skills through sports". Programs range from week-long summer camps to after-school programs, clinics, and leagues for children aged 18 months to 14 years old in a variety of sports

About Stack Sports:

With over 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations.

Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars - Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Advertising and Marketing, Alliances and Partnerships, Business, iSport360, Software, Sports and Activities, youth sports software

Sports Parenting Email Newsletter Surpasses 3.5M Subscribers, Now the most read Newsletter in Youth Sports

PLANO, Texas -- Six months ago iSport360 partnered with Stack Sports to launch a free weekly newsletter which has now become the largest sports parenting newsletter in youth sports today. With 3.5 million sports parent readers, many of whom are also coaches and sports organizers, the newsletter focuses on helping families play more and worry less. The curated newsletter includes stories about understanding the sports parent psyche, helping coaches and parents work together, nurturing empowered young athletes, nutrition and hydration for a healthy athlete, supporting players' physical and mental health, and so much more.

Why is this important and necessary?

Today's sports parents are heavily invested in their kids' activities both financially and emotionally. With over 60 million kids playing organized sports in the US, there are millions of parents seeking quality information, trusted guidance, empathy, and some light-hearted humor to help them be a positive force for their athletes.

"Like so many sports parents and volunteer coaches, my inbox is bombarded with sales and marketing emails disguised as helpful newsletters. We wanted to provide a genuinely free, helpful, positive, and fun newsletter that sports parents would value and engage with," said Ian Goldberg, CEO of iSport360 and Editor of the newsletter.

"We know that the health and success of athletes in Youth Sports is heavily impacted by how parents view and interact with sports. We want to help parents sift through the noise to find quality content that can help them," said Brandon Shangraw, SVP of Innovation and Marketing. "For us, this is more than a newsletter, it's an opportunity to help families play more while ensuring the next generation of athletes have fun while competing."

With an average engagement rate of 65%, the newsletter is not only well-received by readers but also by world-class companies that want to support the youth sports community. Sponsors such as Marriott, Avis, Junior Achievement and Ernst & Young are engaging readers in a contextually relevant way that is impossible on other social channels and youth sports platforms.

"We are connecting our sports parent readers with world-class, perfect-fit partners in travel, healthy foods and snacks, hydration, health and wellness, and athletic apparel, and because we value our readers, we are extremely choosy about what partner we will work with. Our goal is to provide value to our readers in all facets of our newsletter," said Amy Masters, Head of Marketing for iSport360 and newsletter co-editor.

To sign up for the newsletter and start receiving valuable insights and resources for youth sports, visit https://isport360.com/the-youth-sports-survival-guide/ and subscribe today.

About iSport360:

iSport360 is a revolutionary youth sports software platform that is changing the culture of youth sports. Over 3.5 million youth sports athletes, sports organizers, coaches, and parents depend on iSport360 to set goals and share training videos, practice assignments, schedules, 360-degree feedback, player evaluations, sticker rewards, best practices, and a virtual team locker room. Our newsletter, app, and eBooks help all stakeholders collaborate so players can develop athletic skills and life skills. That's why we have been endorsed and recognized by the biggest organizations in youth sports.

About Stack Sports:

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations, including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars, rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations.

Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars - Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development.

To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, LA Sports Awards, Los Angeles Sports Council Foundation, NonProfit and Charities, Sports and Activities

LA Sports Council Announces New President & CEO Matthew Cacciato

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The LA Sports Council, the region's premier sports trade association, is proud to announce the hiring of a new President and CEO of the organization, Matthew Cacciato.

Before joining LA Sports Council, Cacciato served as the Executive Director for Ohio University College of Business' AECOM Center for Sports Administration, and their renowned Master of Sports Administration graduate program. He also held the titles of Executive in Residence and Assistant Professor of Instruction. Prior to joining Ohio University, he spent 23 years in the cable sports television industry as a distribution executive for ESPN, Fox Cable Networks and the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Programming Network (YES Network).

"Matt has built an exceptional career for more than three decades across multiple industries providing strong leadership and advancing every organization he's led," said Dave Klewan, Chairman of the Board of Directors for LA Sports Council and General Manager of the Genesis Invitational. "Matt has the right mix of deep experience in the sports world and an understanding of the importance of community and education that can ensure the LA Sports Council continues to be a leader in uniting the worlds of sports and business."

As President, Cacciato's first initiative will be the organization's 19th Annual LA Sports Awards, a flagship celebration honoring the best in LA sports and top moments of the year. Cacciato will also oversee LA Sports Council's community program, Ready, Set, Gold!. RSG! is a community health, fitness, and social and emotional learning program that partners Olympians and Paralympians with Southern California schools to promote active and healthy lifestyles.

"I am excited to join an organization that plays such a vital role in promoting everything LA sports are about: the athletes, organizations, business leaders, and community members that help make Southern California the epicenter of the sports world," Cacciato said. "In a region the size of Los Angeles, you really see the unique power that sports have to bring us together. Our work to unite the LA sports industry can only lead to greater strength and a stronger and healthier community and economy for all."

Cacciato previously served on the board of the Ohio nonprofit organization Recreation Unlimited, a year-round 24/7 respite facility committed to providing the best and safest sports and recreation experiences for youth and adults with disabilities and health concerns. Cacciato also co-founded Blue Beautiful Skies, a non-profit organization focused on raising awareness and funding for lung cancer research benefitting The Ohio State University's James Comprehensive Cancer Center's Thoracic care unit, where his late wife Annie received world class care and treatment for eight years.

About the LA Sports Council:

Founded in 1988, the LA Sports Council, a non-profit 501(c)(6), is the premier sports trade association in the Los Angeles region. Through year-round programming including the LA Sports Awards, LA Sports Innovation Conference, and Ready, Set, Gold!, the LA Sports Council brings together and celebrates the greatest sports community in the world.

The LASC Board of Directors also represents the Board of the Los Angeles Sports Council Foundation and the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG). Although separate organizations, all entities work together for a common goal.

For more information, visit https://www.lasports.org/.

About Ready, Set, Gold!

Founded in 2006, Ready, Set, Gold! is a community health, fitness and social and emotional learning program that promotes healthy and active lifestyles to children in Southern California schools. RSG! is a public-private partnership between the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG), The Foundation for Global Sports Development, and several public-school districts. RSG! believes that every student should have equal access to resources that support physical health and academic achievement. For more information, visit https://www.readysetgold.net/.

Related link: https://www.lasports.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Expedia Group Inc, Sports and Activities, sports families, sports travel, Travel and Tourism

Stack Sports and Expedia Group Score a Winning Partnership, Bringing Big Savings to Sports Families’ Travel Expenses

PLANO, Texas -- A game-changing collaboration has emerged between Stack Sports, a leading sports technology provider, and Expedia Group, the world's leading traveler technology platform. Together, they're set to redefine the way sports families plan their travel, offering substantial savings to make supporting athletes at various events more accessible and affordable.

In response to the escalating costs associated with youth sports and travel, Stack Sports and Expedia Group have united forces to create an innovative solution. By merging Stack Sports' cutting-edge technology with Expedia Group's travel expertise, this partnership introduces a seamless and budget-friendly approach to booking accommodations, flights, and transportation for sports families.

Highlights of the partnership:

Exclusive Discounts: Sports families can benefit from exclusive coupon discounts on hotels, flights, and rental cars through a co-branded travel site, ensuring the best rates available.

User-Friendly Interface: The co-branded travel site features a user-friendly interface, simplifying the planning and booking process for sports families with just a few clicks.

Real-Time Updates: Stay informed with real-time updates on travel itineraries, allowing sports families to adapt seamlessly to any changes.

One-Stop Solution: The co-branded travel site is a comprehensive one-stop solution for all travel-related needs. It streamlines the planning process, enabling sports families to focus on supporting their athletes.

"Our partnership with Expedia Group is an exciting milestone, bringing savings and convenience to sports families," said Brandon Shangraw, SVP of Marketing and Innovation at Stack Sports. "With our mission to increase participation and transform the sports experience, we see this as an exciting step to simplify the travel experience for families. This partnership will help families Play More, and Worry Less when traveling."

"Nothing beats the excitement of watching sports in person. We're thrilled to partner with Stack Sports, creating a one-two combo of great travel and sports experiences for families around the globe," said Clayton Nelson, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Affiliates at Expedia Group. "Bringing together our travel expertise with Stack Sports' innovative solutions is truly a win-win, making travel more affordable and accessible so all sports families can experience the joy of being there."

This groundbreaking collaboration between Stack Sports and Expedia Group marks a new era for sports travel, promising affordability, convenience, and a touch of excitement for sports families everywhere.

About Stack Sports:

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations.

Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars - Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/.

About Expedia Group:

Expedia Group, Inc. brands power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Our organization is made up of three pillars: Expedia Product & Technology, focused on the group's product and technical strategy and offerings; Expedia Brands, housing all our consumer brands; and Expedia for Business, consisting of business-to-business solutions and relationships throughout the travel ecosystem.

The Expedia Group family of brands includes: Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, Trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group(tm) Media Solutions, CarRentals.com(tm), and Expedia Cruises(tm). One Key(tm) is our comprehensive loyalty program that unifies Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo into one simple, flexible travel rewards experience. To enroll in One Key, download Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo mobile apps for free on iOS and Android devices.

For more information, visit https://www.expediagroup.com/. Follow us on Twitter @expediagroup and check out our LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/expedia.

© 2024 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. CST: 2029030-50

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Dink Productions, Entertainment, filmmaker Dan Brooks, Funding and Investment, Pickleball, Sports and Activities

Game, Set, Match! Dink Productions Serves Up Kickstarter Campaign for First-Ever Pickleball Full-Length Feature Film, ‘In a Pickle’

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Dink Productions launches a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for their upcoming movie "In a Pickle." By engaging the vibrant pickleball community in this campaign, Dink Productions aims to showcase the massive audience awaiting to see this movie come to life.

Announced by Dink Productions in early January, "In a Pickle" is a love letter to the sport, celebrating the community around it and exploring its playful rivalry with tennis. Crafted by filmmaker, storyteller, and pickleball enthusiast Dan Brooks, alongside music and film producer, serial entrepreneur Jason Reid, who builds pickleball and tennis courts across Florida, the movie captures these diverse perspectives on the sport's rise.

Joel Boyd, an acclaimed comedy writer, actor, and director, adds his witty and relatable humor to create a film that promises to captivate audiences with its unique blend of humor, heart, and sportsmanship.

The writers are launching a crowdfunding campaign to start the pre-production stage of the movie. More than anything else, Dink Productions is looking to have the vast, passionate pickleball community become part of this exciting journey.

The company is teaming up with jojo+lo Pickleball Wear ~ With Flair, a female-founded brand with trendy pickleball apparel and accessories. This collaboration plays a big role in the different tiers and perks of this campaign, and their products are an integral part of some of the rewards that people can enjoy when they contribute to the campaign.

We have partnered with pickleball's largest online community and leading media platform, The Pickleball Clinic, consisting of a Facebook Group over over 125k players and fans, a newsletter with over 70k readers, and a suite of active, content-filled social media platforms including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

As an "Official Partner," they will be promoting our Kickstarter, generating hype for the film, running an innovative giveaway, and engaging in other activities such as interviews and social media promotion. The Pickleball Clinic serves as a community for ALL players, from beginners to seasoned pros.

"This Kickstarter isn't just about raising money. We know that there is a huge audience primed for a movie like this. We want to convince big production companies and famous actors that pickleball isn't just a fad - it's a big deal and it needs a movie. With your help, we can show just how passionate this community is. Let's show them why 'In a Pickle' needs to happen!" says Reid.

As the production stage of the movie nears, Dink Productions already knows they have something special.

Dan Brooks says, "The response to our initial marketing on Instagram has been overwhelming and wonderful, and so many people have offered to get involved. Content creators such as Evan Slaughter, Morgan Evans, and The Hype Guys, among many others. We cannot wait to keep bringing more people into this incredibly exciting project, a first of its kind movie that celebrates both the sport of pickleball, and the community that surrounds it."

Be part of cinematic history and help us bring "In a Pickle" to the big screen, at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inapickle/in-a-pickle-a-sports-comedy-feature-film

"In a Pickle" Website: https://www.inapicklemovie.com/.

"In a Pickle" Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inapicklethefilm/

"In a Pickle" Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/InAPickleFilm

MULTIMEDIA:

Promo video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB6ExpL2OMU

Related link: https://www.inapicklemovie.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

sport travel, Sports and Activities, Travel and Tourism

7th Annual Ice Hole Festival in Lake Okoboji, Iowa Creates Waves, with the Thrills and Chills of Scuba Diving

LAKE OKOBOJI, Iowa -- International Scuba proudly announces the return of the much-anticipated Ice Hole Festival. An event that has become legendary in the scuba diving community. What began as a whimsical idea on a Texan's bucket list has evolved into a thrilling annual gathering of adventurous scuba divers from across the continent. The annual Ice Hole Festival will be Held Feb 8 - 11, 2024.

The unique environment attracts divers seeking to assess their skills in harsh conditions. Over the years, the festival has drawn certified scuba divers from Canada, Mexico, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Illinois, and California.

As Richard Thomas, Owner of International Scuba in Dallas, Texas, explained, "The Ice Hole Festival aims to bring together scuba divers eager to expand their skill set and foster collaborative relationships with Scuba Dive centers throughout North America."

The festival has become a platform for scuba shops to sponsor Ice Diving Instructors, establishing themselves as stakeholders with yearly benefits.

An added benefit is the collaboration between Scuba Dive shops on various events throughout the year. Ocean Impact from Arkansas hosts a spearfishing tournament, and other shops eagerly support such events, creating a larger following for each participating shop.

PADI has generously taken the role of headline sponsor, providing unparalleled access to ice training for both instructors and divers. Fourth Element will also be attending as a title sponsor. They will provide special gifts to all divers. We are happy to announce our new shop and sponsor Y-KIKI from the great state of Missouri.

Sign up online at International Scuba. For inquiries, contact the shop at 972-416-8400. International Scuba offers scuba diving certifications for all experience levels.

Don't miss the chance to be part of the 7th annual Ice Hole Festival.

Learn more: https://internationalscuba.com/travel/us/details/?trip=ice-hole-festival

Related link: https://internationalscuba.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Software, Sports and Activities, USA Field Hockey

USA Field Hockey Announces Strategic Partnership with Skyhawks Powered by Stack Sports to Expand Youth Field Hockey Participation Nationwide

PLANO, Texas -- USA Field Hockey, the national governing body for the sport of field hockey in the United States, is excited to announce a landmark partnership with Skyhawks powered by Stack Sports. This strategic collaboration aims to introduce field hockey to young athletes across the country and foster the growth of the sport at the grassroots level.

As part of this three-year partnership, Skyhawks and Stack Sports will be designated as an "Official Youth Sports & Camp Partner of USA Field Hockey" and an "Official Partner Organization of USA Field Hockey." Skyhawks, recognized as the #1 youth sports franchise by Franchise Magazine, will leverage its extensive network to offer field hockey camps in communities nationwide. USA Field Hockey will actively promote and support these camps to encourage participation and inspire the next generation of field hockey players.

"We believe that field hockey has enormous potential in the United States, and we are committed to nurturing its growth from the grassroots up," said Jason Frazier, General Manager of Skyhawks. "Partnering with USA Field Hockey, a leader in the sport, is a significant step toward achieving this goal and our mission."

In addition to providing opportunities for young athletes to discover field hockey, this partnership also aims to encourage more coaches to join the sport. USA Field Hockey will offer entry-level beginner training materials to Skyhawks coaches, while coaches seeking higher-level training and certifications will be invited to become USA Field Hockey member coaches. Both organizations will collaborate to develop a curriculum that follows USA Field Hockey's ADM (American Development Model) and other industry-accepted best practices. This curriculum will ensure a fun, safe, and educational environment for participants and will be available to Skyhawks coaches.

"At USA Field Hockey, we are committed to expanding the reach of Field Hockey which boasts over 2 billion fans worldwide. We recognize Stack Sports as a leader in growing participation for sports organizations, and their dedication to nurturing youth sports aligns perfectly with our mission. We chose Skyhawks as one of our partners due to their unwavering commitment to providing a fun and safe experience for kids, making them the ideal collaborator to introduce field hockey to the next generation of players," said Simon Hoskins, Executive Director at USA Field Hockey.

This partnership is poised to make a significant impact on the sport of field hockey in the United States, with the goal of introducing field hockey to thousands of people in the U.S. in the coming years. This further expands on the commitment by Stack Sports to reach the goal set forth by the CDC of 63% youth participation by 2030.

For more information about USA Field Hockey, visit https://www.usafieldhockey.com/.

For more information about Skyhawks powered by Stack Sports, visit https://www.skyhawks.com/.

About USA Field Hockey:

USA Field Hockey is the national governing body for the sport of field hockey in the United States and is based in Colorado Springs, Colo. USA Field Hockey is committed to providing opportunities for the 30,000 members to participate develop and excel as athletes, coaches, umpires and administrators. The U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams strive for competitive excellence in the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Cup and other international competitions. USA Field Hockey is a proud member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, International Hockey Federation and Pan American Hockey Federation. For more information visit https://www.usafieldhockey.com/.

About Skyhawks:

Founded in Spokane, Washington in 1979, Skyhawks has established itself as one of the largest youth sport program providers in North America. Skyhawks provides a wide variety of fun, safe and positive programs that emphasize critical lessons by "teaching life skills through sports". Programs range from week-long summer camps to after-school programs, clinics, and leagues for children aged 18mths to 14 in a variety of sports.

About Stack Sports:

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations.

Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars - Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Sports and Activities

GOALS Council Welcomes Influential Trio to Drive Access and Inclusivity in Youth Soccer

PLANO, Texas -- The GOALS Council, a strategic advisory body formed by Stack Sports and influential youth soccer leaders in 2021, has announced the appointment of three new members: Martin Fox, Program Manager for the Aspen Institute's Sports & Society Program, Chris Solomons, National Director, Community Engagement and Business Development at AYSO, and Dr. Jené Baclawski, Senior Coach Educator at U.S. Soccer.

Entering its third year, the council's mission is to broaden soccer participation by enhancing diversity in youth soccer through community partnerships. The council meets quarterly to focus on strategies to boost youth sports engagement by expanding access to soccer and free play opportunities for children across the United States.

"As a mission-driven sports technology company, we aim to expand youth sports participation. The GOALS Council represents one of our commitments to increasing access to play opportunities," stated Jeff Young, CEO of Stack Sports. "Our goal with initiatives like this is simply to spark conversations and help organizations grow the game of soccer and youth sports as a whole."

According to The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which set a goal of 63.3% of students playing by 2030, playing sports can improve economic, social, and academic outcomes for children and adolescents in addition to the health benefits. The GOALS Council's three new members hold extensive insight into the youth soccer landscape in the United States. They will assist in conversation on how to address the challenges of creating models of equitable access to play for all children.

"The GOALS Council embodies growth, organization, advancement, and learning in soccer, aligning with Stack Sports' mission to make meaningful investments in the sport," said Andrew R. Hiatt, Vice President of Growth and Market Strategy at Stack Sports and former US Youth Soccer Chief Operating Officer. "We are enthusiastic about adding these esteemed members to The GOALS Council, recognizing their passion and commitment to youth soccer. Stack Sports is proud to continue supporting the council in identifying primary initiatives and areas of growth for 2024."

The third annual GOALS Council Summit is scheduled to take place at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Subsequent meetings are planned quarterly throughout the year.

For more information about the GOALS Council, please visit their website: https://stacksports.com/goals-council

About Stack Sports:

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations.

Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars - Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Entertainment, Fan-Athlete Community, HBCU football, Sports and Activities, Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Partners with Award-Winning Online Fan-Athlete Community, HANG, to Connect HBCU Fans and Stars for The Celebration Bowl

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Wells Fargo, in partnership with the award-winning fan-athlete community, HANG, will bring a one-of-a-kind watch-party game experience to HBCU fans for the storied match-up between Howard University and Florida A&M at the Celebration Bowl on December 14, 2023. Actor and former NFL linebacker Isaac Keys (Morehouse); NFL Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams (Southern); Miami Dolphins star Terron Armstead (UAPB), Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Nick Leverett (North Carolina Central) and pro basketball player Shakyla Hill (Grambling) will be among the HBCU notables who will celebrate the HBCU experience while discussing the game with fans around the country who register for free via https://letshang.live/.

"Wells Fargo looks forward to partnering with the HANG team for the second straight year to bring a unique virtual game experience to HBCU fans during the Celebration Bowl broadcast," said Dewey Norwood, Senior Diversity and Inclusion Consultant. "We're thrilled to celebrate the two competing schools - Florida A&M University and Howard University."

"We're staging a special event with a unique partner for an extraordinary community," said Jon Klein, HANG's co‐founder and CEO and the former president of CNN/US. "Our Celebration Bowl HANG will be a virtual reunion for the entire HBCU family - personifying Wells Fargo's commitment to enriching peoples' lives."

Wells Fargo is a longtime supporter of HBCUs. Since 2011, they have given more than $40 million in scholarships and programming to HBCUs and organizations that support them. Prior to the start of the 2023 college football season Wells Fargo announced plans to expand its support to six major HBCU football classics, committing $300,000 in scholarships to the competing schools and providing financial workshops for students, alumni and fans.

About Wells Fargo:

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is a leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 47 on Fortune's 2023 rankings of America's largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Additional information may be found at https://www.wellsfargo.com/.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellsfargo

About HANG:

Hang Media, winner of the 2023 Cynopsis Sports Award for best production innovation, is the leading celebrity‐fan community, with nearly one million views of each virtual watch party around major sports events including pro and college football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Since HANG's founding in September 2021, over 25 million sports fans have come face to face with their idols and star athletes, performers, and influencers - while everyone watches the game on their own TV's. It's a dream come true for sports lovers, who get to have fun and frank conversations with their heroes about life on and off the field, play trivia contests, and sample products delivered by top sponsors including Toyota, Coca‐Cola, Wells Fargo, MolsonCoors, Dave & Busters, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Pernod Ricard, and others.

Join the fun at https://letshang.live - or contact LeslieAnne Wade at Lwade@wademediamanagement.com for more information.

RELATED LINKS:

https://newsroom.wf.com/English/news-releases/news-release-details/2023/Wells-Fargo-expands-support-to-six-major-HBCU-football-classics-through-scholarships-and-financial-workshops/default.aspx

https://stories.wf.com/

Related link: https://letshang.live/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022