Empowering Kids to Take Healthy Risks
Empowering Kids to Take Healthy Risks By: Aaron Locks, NAofA Founder and CEO Watching my kids learn to walk was an unforgettable lesson in resilience. No one had to tell them to try; when learning to walk, they instinctively kept getting up, falling, and trying again until they succeeded. This natural process of trial, failure, […]
Recreational Play and Multi-Sport Participation
Reversing the Decline in Youth Sports: Recreational Play and Multi-Sport Participation By: Aaron Locks, NAofA Founder and CEO Youth sports are vital for children’s development, but participation is declining, particularly in recreational programs. This trend is concerning for many reasons, and as someone with over 40 years of experience in youth sports, I’d like to […]
Overcoming the Fear: How to Talk to Your Child’s Coach
Overcoming the Fear: How to Talk to Your Child’s Coach By: Aaron Locks NAofA Founder and CEO For many parents, learning how to talk to your child’s coach can be challenging and sometimes evoke feelings of anxiety. Whether addressing a concern, discussing your child’s development, or clarifying team dynamics, initiating a conversation can feel daunting. […]
National Academy of Athletics and Fair Oaks Park & Recreation District Team Up for Fair Oaks Youth Sports
National Academy of Athletics and Fair Oaks Park & Recreation District Team Up for Fair Oaks Youth Sports “It’s amazing how much can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.” At the National Academy of Athletics, this guiding principle fuels our commitment to community partnerships, where the focus is on making a […]
NAofA Partner Triumphs at First 2025 Golden Ticket Tournament
NAofA Partner Triumphs at 2025 Golden Ticket Tournament At the first of the 2025 Golden Ticket Tournament season, players competed for an exclusive opportunity to secure their spot in the USA Pickleball Nationals Finale. This prestigious tournament series offers athletes the chance to qualify by winning Gold medals, with all medalists earning eligibility to compete […]
Million Coaches Challenge
Million Coaches Challenge The Million Coaches Challenge (MCC) webinar on October 31, 2024, was truly inspiring, bringing together leaders nationwide to emphasize the importance of school-based sports coaching. The session highlighted MCC’s core mission: to equip coaches with essential skills and tools to enhance youth sports experiences, ensuring kids stay engaged and safe and develop […]
Day of Service in Napa, California
Day of Service in Napa, California John Martignoli, an NAofA Franchise owner, joined forces with his camp directors Jarek and Quintin, as well as recreational professionals from CPRS District One, for a transformative “Day of Service” at Kennedy Park in Napa, California. The initiative brought together a passionate group of volunteers who worked side by […]
Helping Your Child Thrive When They Don’t Make the Top Team
Helping Your Child Thrive When They Don’t Make the Top Team By: Aaron Locks, NAofA Founder and CEO As a parent of two kids who played sports throughout their childhood, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of youth athletics. Sometimes, my kids made the top teams, and other times they played on lower-level teams. While […]
The NAofA Youth Sports Franchising Journey in 2024
The NAofA Youth Sports Franchising Journey in 2024 By: Aaron Locks, NAofA Founder and CEO When I began my youth sports business journey over four decades ago, alongside legendary figures like Coach John Wooden, Magic Johnson, and Pat Riley of the LA Lakers, I could never have imagined the incredible ride it would become. Has […]
Helping Kids Learn Independence, Accountability, and Resiliency
Helping Kids Learn Independence, Accountability, and Resiliency By: Aaron Locks, NAofA Founder and CEO Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do for our kids is nothing at all. As parents, we often feel the need to shield our children from failure or step in when things get difficult. However, helping children learn to fail […]
