Last week, Coach Jordan and I had the incredible opportunity to attend the NextUp 2024 Conference hosted by LeagueApps in New York, and it was a game-changer for anyone involved in youth sports. The conference brought together leaders, coaches, and organizers from across the country to discuss the future of youth sports and share strategies for improvement. From innovative software to community-building, the event provided valuable insights on how to serve our young athletes better and enhance their overall experience. The sessions covered everything from sportsmanship and codes of conduct to more effective communication with parents and players, all aimed at fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

One of the key takeaways for me was the importance of building and maintaining trust with parents. As a coach and program leader, I understand that parents need to feel confident in the development and well-being of their children. Hearing from experts who have successfully cultivated strong parent relationships, I left with new strategies to improve transparency, communication, and trust. Hearing from experts who are passionate about improving youth sports, I left feeling inspired and equipped with fresh ideas to bring back to ASA.

The conference reinforced our mission to put players first and ensure that our programs prioritize not just skill development, but also character-building and teamwork. I’m excited to implement these new strategies to make sure your child’s experience in basketball is as positive and rewarding as possible!