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 it all been easy? Absolutely not. But from the very beginning, I fell in love with my work, and to this day, that passion continues to drive me. The journey of NAofA youth sports franchising has been nothing short of monumental.
In 2024, the National Academy of Athletics made a bold move forward by launching a franchise model to address the surging demand for our youth sports programs. Our approach stands out because we prioritize excellence in coaching. Each of our coaches undergoes rigorous training to become an NAofA Certified Coach, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to foster the growth and development of young athletes.
Our programs are designed with the specific needs of today’s children in mind, emphasizing not just skill development but also teamwork, sportsmanship, and confidence-building. With a commitment to providing superior services and support, we are proud to be at the forefront of youth recreational sports, meeting the increasing demand for high-quality programming. We are in high demand, and our dedication to excellence sets us apart!
What an extraordinary year it has been! We selected and onboarded our first five franchisees, each of whom has hit the ground running. Knowing that we’ve built a business model that not only serves communities but also offers incredible growth potential and sustainability while providing a livelihood for our franchisees has been incredibly rewarding.
Our first franchisee in Napa Valley quickly secured contracts with several cities and schools. Their summer camp season was a huge success, and the fall school programs have seen even greater participation.
In San Diego, our second franchisee took a more measured approach, starting summer programs in one city and focusing on gradual expansion. They’re now seeing steady growth through fall programs and are in discussions with new recreation departments to establish additional partnerships.
Our third franchisee in San Antonio was presented with a variety of opportunities from the start. They launched several summer camps and are now under contract with over 10 community partners, establishing a stronger local presence.
In Sacramento, our fourth franchisee wasted no time, securing contracts with four city recreation departments and launching more than 50 summer camps. The positive feedback has been overwhelming, and since summer, they’ve added the City of Sacramento and two more community partners.
Finally, in Oakland County, Michigan, our fifth franchisee faced the challenge of signing late in the spring, making summer program launches difficult. Undeterred, they shifted focus to fall and winter programs, quickly securing partnerships with over 20 schools and five city recreation departments.
After successfully onboarding these five franchisees, we paused sales to rigorously test our systems, services, and operations. The results? Stellar! A few minor tech improvements were made, but the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with all five franchisees giving us 5-star ratings.
Now, with that success in hand, we are excited to open new franchise opportunities in select cities across the United States. The proven success of each franchisee demonstrates the strength and reliability of our systems, paving the way for future growth. To learn why the NAofA brand is in such high demand and explore franchise opportunities, visit us today!
