- YOUR NAofA EXECUTIVE TEAM HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR YOUR SUCCESS!
Our seasoned management team has developed a turn-key operation with a proven track record of success!
Meet your team!
Your Business, Supported by a Team of Professionals!
Hear from one of our first franchisees in San Antonio, Texas
Comprehensive Online Training
Access to our NAofA Intranet training platform covering operations, marketing, program delivery, and business development.
Two days of hands-on training at our corporate headquarters. Meet the team behind your success, get your questions answered, and see an NAofA program in action.
Two days of in-field training in your territory. Our team will visit Community Partner prospects with you, helping you confidently present NAofA’s programs, answer questions, and secure your first partnership agreements.
Marketing & Territory Development Guidance
Strategic guidance to help you introduce NAofA to your community, develop partnerships, and build early momentum.
Operations Systems & Business Tools
Training on the systems, processes, and operational tools used to manage scheduling, partnerships, and program delivery.
Ongoing Mentorship & Support
Continued access to the NAofA leadership team and franchise network as you launch and grow your territory.
Cities are begging us to bring our programs to their communities.
Become the hero they need! Find out how!
THE NAofA EXECUTIVE TEAM IS DEDICATED TO YOUR SUCCESS
The leadership team at the National Academy of Athletics brings a unique combination of experience, passion, and proven success in youth sports programming and community partnerships. They are deeply committed to delivering high-quality programs and exceptional service to Community Partners, parents, and participants. With a collaborative, team-first mindset, our leadership believes the strongest relationships create a true win for everyone involved—our franchisees, our partners, and the families we serve.
THE PARTNERS OF THE NAofA CAME TOGETHER WITH 5 GOALS
Helping kids fall in love with sports by creating fun, positive experiences that build confidence, teach life skills, and encourage lifelong healthy habits.
The partners of the National Academy of Athletics are committed to growing thoughtfully and responsibly. Rather than expanding quickly, their focus is on supporting the success of every franchise owner. By providing guidance, resources, and ongoing mentorship, they work closely with each new partner to build strong programs, meaningful community relationships, and a sustainable business for the long term.
They focus on creating solutions that benefit community partners, schools, and families—while keeping youth sports programs affordable so every child can participate.
They design youth sports programs that support the needs of cities and schools, helping bring accessible, high-quality sports opportunities to children nationwide.
They cultivate a culture where staff are well prepared, love what they do, and are encouraged to grow both professionally and personally.
They developed a nationally recognized Youth Sports Coaching Certification program to ensure every child is coached by passionate mentors who are trained in safety, prepared for emergencies, and experienced in teaching age-appropriate sports fundamentals.
THE NAofA TEAM IS ON A MISSION TO BRING YOUTH
PROGRAMS TO CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE NATION!
Aaron Locks is our Founder & CEO, the producer of our trademarked teaching method, talk.teach.PLAY!®, and the lead developer of our program curriculums. Aaron is a very hands-on CEO. Beyond the support he gives to the Executive Team, Aaron works closely with Franchisees to ensure their success. He is readily available to answer questions and provide support, and his background is unsurpassed in the Youth Sports Industry.
Aaron works for you.
- Visits your territory for 2 days of “in-the-field” sales training.
- Helps to develop your team of program Directors and Coaches to ensure your staff well represents our NAofA brand.
- Guides your coaches through our Talk, Teach, Play.® trademarked coaching method.
- Delivers CEO Weekly to your inbox to keep you updated on industry news, company announcements, and weekly task management based on the season.
- Creates opportunities with business development strategies for your territory to increase your revenue.
Aaron earned his BA in Communications from Sonoma State University with a minor in business and spent the last 4 decades working in sports. Aaron is a father, author of The Coach’s Best Friend series of books, trainer, coach, speaker, and entrepreneur. His background includes working with various professional organizations: The Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, Oakland A’s, Sportsworld, and legendary coaches John Wooden, Pat Riley, George Karl, Don Nelson, Greg Popovich, and Dusty Baker.
Laree Mancour is our Chief Brand and Franchise Officer. Since joining as a partner in 2018, she has been instrumental in guiding the company’s national brand strategy and franchise expansion.
With expertise in brand development, website architecture, and sales and marketing training, Laree has helped build the systems that support the company’s growing franchise network. She also designed and developed the NAofA Intranet, an integrated training and operations platform that equips franchise owners with the tools, education, and support needed to succeed.
As a lifelong athlete, Laree is deeply passionate about the life lessons sports provide. Her mission is to help bring the National Academy of Athletics programs to communities across the country, creating opportunities for children to grow, learn, and thrive through sports.
Laree works for you.
Streamlined Onboarding Process
A structured launch system designed to efficiently guide you from signing your franchise agreement through opening your territory.Brand & Business Model Training
Comprehensive training covering our programs, operational systems, and the proven NAofA business model.Mentorship & Virtual Training Support
Ongoing guidance from the NAofA leadership team throughout your online and virtual training experience.Digital Presence Development
Assistance establishing your territory’s online presence, including your website, social media platforms, and key directory listings.Corporate Launch Resources
Access to corporate tools, materials, and operational resources to support a successful territory launch.
Taylor Spooner, our Executive Administrator’s Assistant, plays a key role in keeping the National Academy of Athletics running efficiently and effectively. She manages company-wide financial operations, including revenue reconciliation, franchisee invoicing, and performance reporting for executive leadership. In addition, she oversees compliance across the franchise system, ensuring high standards in both administration and financial practices.
Taylor also supports onboarding and training for franchisees and corporate captains, coordinates cross-departmental projects, and partners with leadership on strategic outreach and marketing initiatives. Known for her precision, organization, and collaborative approach, Taylor strengthens the company’s foundation while helping drive growth and innovation.
Taylor works for you.
- Supports Franchisees and Corporate Area Captains in sales strategies and Community Partner proposals
- Support onboarding efforts with CORE Software and Systems training
- Employs strategies to maximize your customers’ satisfaction
- Helps you to establish your company’s operational procedures and use our technology to stay in compliance
Mike Herbert is our Director of Physical Education. Dr. Herbert is the Director of Athletics at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Oregon. He has spent the last 25 years working in education and athletics at every level possible. Mike has coached basketball at the NCAA Div. 2, junior college, high school levels, and various youth sports camps over the past 25 years. He has taught physical education at middle and high school levels while holding teaching credentials in New Mexico, Texas, and Oregon.
Mike works for you.
- Supports Franchisees in understanding the inner working of the education system
- Mentors you on creating value and becoming an asset to School Partners
- Match our curriculum to the individual standards of your county or state
- Will educate and train all key FTF instructors
Mike has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in teaching and coaching. Dr. Herbert earned his Ph.D. in 2007 from the University of New Mexico in Health, PE, and Recreation with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction and a minor in Educational Psychology. Dr. Herbert has also helped to design curriculum for college courses, including, Theory of Coaching, Sociology of Sport, and Sport Psychology. Mike is first and foremost a father to his two kids, Joseph and Jackson, who participate in various youth sports, and his wife, Megan Corriea, currently the head softball coach at SWOCC. #beBETTER.
DR. MIKE HERBERT
Professor, Athlete, Coach, Mentor
Greg Coleman is our Director of Municipalities and Recreation. Greg dedicated over 3 decades of his career working in the Parks and Recreation profession. Most recently he was the Recreation Supervisor for the City of Napa Parks & Recreation managing the City’s Youth and Adult sports division. Greg partnered with the NAofA and has first hand experience benefitting from the services we provide. Greg joined the NAofA in 2022.
Greg works for you.
- Supports Franchisees in sales and relationship building with City Parks & Recreation personnel
- Mentors you on creating value and becoming an asset to City Partners
- Supports strategies to maximize your customer’s satisfaction
- Helps you to establish your partnerships
Greg had many great mentors who contributed to his success as a coach, as an administrator, and as a parent. He believes having the right people to help guide you through life results in far greater success than being on your own. His coaching career began at age 16 and continued throughout the next 3 decades. His greatest accomplishment was successfully coaching his own four boys over the 17 years they were involved in organized sports.
JOIN THE YOUTH SPORTS FRANCHISE PARENTS & KIDS LOVE!
We are eager to partner with passionate, sports-minded entrepreneurs who enjoy working with kids. Extensive experience in early childhood and physical education isn’t necessary. If you love kids and believe in making a difference in their health and well-being, and love sports, and believe there is no better way for a child to learn valuable life lessons than playing youth sports, then we will teach you the rest! All it takes is your passion and drive to be successful.
Our Partners Love Our Programs
*Disclaimer: This website and the franchise sales information on this site do not constitute an offer to sell a franchise. The offer of a franchise can only be made through the delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Certain states require that we register the FDD in those states. The communications on this web site are not directed by us to residents of any of those states. Moreover, we will not offer or sell franchises in those states until we have registered the franchise (or obtained an applicable exemption from registration) and delivered the FDD to the prospective franchisee in compliance with applicable law.
