The Playbook For Youth Sports

Listening Beyond the Scoreboard: How Sports Wellness Data Can Keep Kids in the Game

What if youth sports organizations could spot burnout, disengagement, or harmful dynamics before kids quit or get hurt? In this episode of The Playbook for Youth Sports, Jennifer Peacock talks with Pamela Minix, founder of the Sports Wellness Platform, about how data-driven insights into mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being can transform the athlete experience. They explore why kids drop out of sports around ages 12–13, how organizations can identify early warning signs in real time, and how giving athletes (and parents) a true voice helps create healthier cultures, better coaching environments, and stronger long-term development. This conversation is a must-listen for any organization serious about putting athlete well-being first.

Unlocking Sports Tourism: How Sports ETA Helps Events Grow Beyond Their Backyard

In this episode of The Playbook for Youth Sports, Jennifer Peacock sits down with John David, CEO of Sports ETA, to break down how sports tourism really works and why many event operators are leaving money, resources, and support on the table. They unpack how Sports ETA connects event owners with destinations, CVBs, and sports commissions to drive economic impact, secure sponsorships, reduce event costs, and elevate the overall event experience. From understanding the RFP process and accessing destination support, to navigating housing challenges and tracking economic impact, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the ecosystem that powers successful sports events. Whether you’re running tournaments locally or looking to expand into new markets, this episode provides clear, actionable insight into how working with destinations and leveraging Sports ETA can transform your event strategy.

Measuring What Matters: How SkillShark Turns Tryouts into Real Player Development

In this episode of The Playbook for Youth Sports, Jennifer Peacock talks with Neil Anderson, CEO of SkillShark, about why the traditional pen-and-paper tryout is broken and what happens when clubs start treating evaluations as a development tool instead of a one-time sorting exercise. Neil shares how clubs can use data to run cleaner tryouts, give every athlete meaningful feedback, normalize coach scoring, and even auto-build balanced or ranked teams in minutes. From parent-friendly report cards and athlete self-assessments, to evaluation camps that double as fundraisers and integrations with major registration platforms, this conversation gives club leaders practical ways to save time, improve transparency, and keep more kids in sports by showing them how they’re actually growing.

Beyond Banners: How 3STEP Builds Partnerships That Truly Support Youth Sports

In this episode of The Playbook for Youth Sports, Jennifer Peacock sits down with James Peterson, Director of Partnerships at 3STEP Sports, to break down what great sponsorships actually look like and how the right partner can elevate an entire club community. James shares real examples of high-impact partnerships, including creative event activations and long-standing collaborations, and explains why successful sponsorships are rooted in relationships, alignment, and shared purpose, not transactions. From pricing strategies to avoiding common pitfalls, this conversation gives club leaders practical takeaways they can use immediately to create sponsorships that drive revenue, engagement, and real community impact.

Turning Data into Decisions: How Demosphere Is Helping Clubs Grow Smarter

Technology has transformed how clubs register players, manage finances, and communicate with families, but what’s next? In this episode of The Playbook for Youth Sports, Jennifer Peacock talks with Kris Baker, President of Demosphere, about how innovation, data, and AI are reshaping the youth sports experience. They discuss how Demosphere’s 36-year legacy has evolved from simple registration tools to advanced financial reporting and data visualization, why embedded protection like Registration Protection matters for clubs and parents, and how the next wave of technology can help make youth sports more transparent, efficient, and inclusive.