April: National Youth Sports Safety Month
April: National Youth Sports Safety Month April is National Youth Sports Safety Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of safety in youth athletics. Sports provide kids with countless benefits, from building confidence and teamwork to improving physical health and social skills. However, ensuring their safety while playing is just as important as the game […]
After-School Programs That Change Lives—Thanks to Dedicated Professionals
After-School Programs That Change Lives—Thanks to Dedicated Professionals Join NAofA in celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, April 21–25. At the National Academy of Athletics (NAofA), we believe that every young person deserves access to high-quality after-school experiences—programs that support their growth, spark curiosity, and help them thrive. Behind every great program is a dedicated Afterschool […]
National Academy of Athletics Partners with City of San Diego Parks and Recreation to Deliver Inclusive Adaptive Sports Programs
National Academy of Athletics Partners with City of San Diego Parks and Recreation to Deliver Inclusive Adaptive Sports Programs This press release was originally published by California News Observer on September 2, 2025. Read the original article HERE. SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES, September 2, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — The National Academy of Athletics (NAofA) has partnered with the City […]
Building a Culture of Respect
Building a Culture of Respect: How Parents and Coaches Can Shape the Next Generation By: Aaron Locks, NAofA Founder and CEO Not too long ago, respect for police officers, teachers, firefighters, military personnel, & even neighbors like Mr. Johnson down the street was automatic & deeply ingrained in our culture. These individuals were universally regarded […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
