The Sports Bra Launches Playmakers to Honor Young Athletes for National Girls and Women in Sports Day

In celebration of the upcoming National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) the Playmakers initiative honors youth, high school, and collegiate athletes for the leadership, teamwork, and heart they bring to their sports and communities. Playmakers is a direct extension of The Sports Bra’s mission: to create an environment that supports, empowers, and promotes girls and women in sports and throughout the community.

Beginning now, youth league directors, athletic directors, coaches, and community and family members in Portland, as well as expansion cities Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis, are invited to nominate young women who embody the spirit of a Playmaker, someone who makes a positive impact both on and off the field, court, mat, pitch, track, pool, or wherever they play. 

“A Playmaker is someone who changes the game just by being who they are, both on and off the playing field,” said Jenny Nguyen, founder and CEO of The Sports Bra. “With this initiative, we’re honoring the courage and teamwork of the next generation. These athletes are the future of the movement, and we couldn’t be prouder to shine a light on them.”

Deborah Pleva, vice president of engagement at The Sports Bra, added, “If you’ve ever watched a coach draw up a play for a team, you know that X’s and O’s are all about preparation and belief. This February, the month of love, as we celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day, those X’s and O’s mean even more: they stand for our love of the game and the girls who pour their hearts into it. With Playmakers, we are turning that love into action by shining a spotlight on the girls and women who are the future of sports.”

HOW TO NOMINATE A PLAYMAKER

Nominations are open to youth, middle school, high school, and collegiate athletes in the communities of The Sports Bra’s current and future locations. Nominations are open through Saturday, Jan. 31, with the selected Playmakers being announced on National Girls & Women in Sports Day, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. Submissions can be made at the forms on the Playmakers Blog.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT | PARTNERING FOR EMPOWERMENT

In Portland, The Bra is partnering with Girls on the Run Greater Oregon to highlight their shared mission to inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate their limitless potential. From Feb. 4-15, any athlete who visits The Bra will receive a small token of appreciation for their contribution and love of sports. 

Through this initiative, both organizations aim to spark a local conversation about the importance of keeping girls active and ensuring they have the visibility they deserve.

NATIONAL GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY

National Girls & Women in Sports Day began in 1987 to recognize women’s sports and honor Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her dedication to promoting equality in athletics. Since its beginnings, the day has become a vibrant annual movement co-founded and powered by the Women’s Sports Foundation. It honors the achievements of women athletes and leaders and acknowledges the significant impact and positive influence of sports participation. 

Participation in sports can develop the confidence and character that help girls become strong leaders in all aspects of life. Today, The Sports Bra is excited to join the nationwide celebration of NGWSD, which inspires girls and women and continues the ongoing struggle for gender equity in sports. 

“Ultimately, Playmakers is our way of ensuring the next generation knows their impact is seen and valued,” added Nguyen. “It’s our love letter to the future of women’s sports. XOXO from The Bra!”

Founded in April 2022 in Portland, Oregon, The Sports Bra is the first sports bar that exclusively televises women’s sports. In 2025, The Sports Bra announced its expansion into four additional cities, with franchise locations opening in Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis. The family-friendly bar and restaurant offers great food, delicious drinks, and an inclusive space that supports, empowers, and promotes women’s athletes and girls and women in the community. Visit TheSportsBraOfficial.com to find out what’s playing and what’s on the menu.

An Israeli youth judo delegation was reportedly removed from a tournament in southern Poland on Saturday after being targeted with antisemitic chants.

The incident took place during a judo competition in the city of Bielsko-Biała, where about 90 Israeli athletes, ages 7 to 16, from three clubs had traveled to compete.

Embassy Warns of Antisemitic Harassment

The Israeli Embassy in Poland said it was “deeply concerned” by reports of abuse directed at the Israeli delegation, adding that “there is no place for violence or antisemitic slurs of any kind, particularly in sport, which should promote respect, fairness, and cooperation among nations.”

We are deeply concerned by the violent incident yesterday against the Israeli judo team, which was attacked verbally and physically during a competition in Bielsko-Biała in Poland. The Israeli competition participants were children and youth aged 7 to 16.

There is no place…

— Ambasada Izraela (@IsraelinPoland) January 11, 2026

According to accounts cited in Polish media, spectators shouted hostile slogans throughout the day. Chants were said to have included “Free Palestine” and “Look, the Jews are coming.” A witness told 247 Sports that the taunts continued during matches and distracted even the youngest competitors.

Confrontation Escalates After Appeal to Officials

As the shouting persisted, two Israeli coaches approached referees and asked them to intervene. Witnesses say the situation then escalated. A group of around 12 local men allegedly confronted the coaches and physically attacked them in front of the young athletes and spectators.

Organizers then removed the entire Israeli delegation from the competition. The team returned to its hotel and stayed there due to safety concerns.

Israeli athletes in a youth judo camp for 7-16 y.o. were attacked by Polish grown men, including 11 y.o. that was attacked while his parents are watching it live on TV.

They were pulled out from the competition and training “for their safety” Pathetic.
pic.twitter.com/zM7yeY3dgE

— Gal G., Adv 🇮🇱 (@ICK_GalG) January 11, 2026

Conflicting Accounts From Polish Officials

Local authorities and tournament officials dispute the Israeli account. A statement published on the Bielsko-Biała municipal website claimed an Israeli coach reacted aggressively to a referee’s decision. The statement said the coach entered the competition area, shouted insults, and made physical contact with the referee.

Organizers contacted police and disqualified the Israeli team, according to that account.

A spokesperson for the Bielsko Police confirmed that police spoke with those involved. He said officers noted physical contact but received no formal complaints. The parties later dispersed without charges.

Calls for Accountability and Protection

The Israeli Embassy urged Polish authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and guarantee the safety of Israeli athletes at international events. The case has renewed concern about antisemitic hostility at sporting venues, particularly when it targets children.

No independent findings have yet reconciled the sharply different versions of events. The incident remains under scrutiny as tensions continue to affect Jewish and Israeli participation in sports across Europe.

For firsthand insight into how Israeli athletes confront antisemitism on the global stage, and what young competitors can learn from it, read CAM’s exclusive interview with Peter Paltchik, a two-time Olympic medalist and the most decorated judo fighter in Israeli history.

Take Action

CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.

Key Takeaways

• Magic viewership on NBA League Pass in Germany increased 104% year-over-year, making them the most-watched team this season
• Six international partnerships announced including AIDA Cruises, Domino’s, Kellogg’s, ThreatLocker, Deutsche Telekom, and Visit Orlando
• Youth basketball programming includes Deutsche Telekom integration and coaching clinics across Berlin and London with Magic legends
• Orlando Magic Kiez debuts in Berlin as fan destination and partner activation hub at Deutsche Telekom’s Magenta Mitte
• Basketball is the fastest-growing team sport in Germany and second-most popular behind soccer

German Market Growth Fuels Partnership Expansion

The Orlando Magic are converting domestic roster decisions into international revenue opportunities. As the team prepares to play the Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin on January 15 and London on January 18, the franchise announced six partnerships tied to its European presence.

The timing aligns with measurable fan growth in Germany. Magic games on NBA League Pass in Germany are up 104% year-over-year, and the team’s Instagram following from Germany increased 37% this season. Basketball now ranks as the second-most popular team sport in Germany behind soccer and is the fastest-growing team sport in the country, according to Global Web Index.

The Magic roster includes German players Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner, and Tristan da Silva. Franz Wagner, a Berlin native, said playing a regular-season game in his hometown “means everything to us.”

“When the Magic made its first NBA Finals appearance in the mid-1990s stacked with legendary players, Germans were already traveling to see games,” said Magic Chief Sales Officer Michael Forde. “Today, interest is significantly greater, and we will continue to build on that existing fandom.”

Six-Partner Portfolio Spans Tourism, Food Services, and Cybersecurity

The Magic’s international partnership portfolio includes Deutsche Telekom, Visit Orlando, AIDA Cruises, Domino’s, Kellogg’s, and ThreatLocker. Each partner will activate during the weeklong Global Games programming in Berlin and London.

Deutsche Telekom is hosting retail appearances with Magic legends Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw at Berlin locations, along with fan gaming experiences and youth basketball programming. AIDA Cruises will provide fan photo opportunities and giveaways at the Magic Kiez venue. Domino’s will run interactive basketball activations and offer a special pizza promotion on Magic game days for the remainder of the season.

Kellogg’s plans retail activations in Berlin with influencer-driven social content. ThreatLocker will co-host a Berlin-based B2B event with Magic leadership focused on cybersecurity and technology.

The Magic also extended their partnership with Visit Orlando, the region’s official tourism association. Visit Orlando serves as presenting partner of Magic Kiez and Global Games coverage, plus destination marketing initiatives and tourism training in both cities.

Orlando Magic Kiez Establishes Berlin Community Hub

The centerpiece of the Magic’s Berlin activation is Orlando Magic Kiez, located at Deutsche Telekom’s Magenta Mitte facility. “Kiez” is a German term commonly used in Berlin and northern Germany to describe a neighborhood or close-knit community.

The venue will host daily programming combining fan experiences, partner activations, and community basketball events. Visit Orlando’s activation includes a sun globe photo opportunity. Programming features appearances from Magic and NBA legends including Nick Anderson, Bo Outlaw, Mickaël Pietrus, Marcin Gortat, and Hedo Türkoğlu, plus STUFF the Magic Mascot.

The Magic will conduct autograph sessions, meet-and-greets, and coaching clinics across both cities throughout the week. The youth basketball programming extends the Magic’s existing community impact model, which reaches an estimated 100,000 kids annually through various programs. The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation has distributed more than $31 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the past 36 years.

Business Development Programming Targets B2B Growth

Beyond fan engagement, the Magic are hosting a Business of Basketball Summit in Berlin that brings together team leadership, partners, and global sports business executives.

The summit includes a leadership conversation with Magic President of Business Operations Charlie Freeman and Managing Director Ryan DeVos, moderated by Abe Madkour of Sports Business Journal. A commercial partnerships panel features Magic Chief Sales Officer Michael Forde, Marcus Höfl of MHM Group, and Michael Hagspihl of Deutsche Telekom. A sports marketing roundtable includes executives from PepsiCo, Kia, and AdventHealth.

ThreatLocker and the Magic will separately host a B2B event for IT and business leaders focused on cybersecurity and global business challenges.

Building on German Market Infrastructure

The Global Games build on the Magic’s existing German market infrastructure. The franchise completed its first-ever Summer Tour in Germany and works with Marcus Höfl Management as its agency of record in Germany, supporting brand marketing, event management, media strategy, and commercial partnership development.

These Berlin and London games mark the Magic’s 14th and 15th international appearances. The franchise has previously represented the NBA in Brazil, China, England, Japan, and Mexico through Global Games programming.

Franz Wagner’s comments about inspiring young players reflect the Magic’s broader youth development strategy. “We hope we can inspire kids the way we were inspired watching games from afar,” he said.

“The Magic are thrilled to have these six organizations join our partnership family and celebrate the excitement of bringing Magic basketball to Europe,” said Magic President of Business Operations Charlie Freeman. “We are continually inspired by the passion and enthusiasm of fans across the globe.”

via: NBA / Magic

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About Youth Sports Business Report

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Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.

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Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.

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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?

Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

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Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

Why Sponsor Youth Sports?

Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.

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We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. – Researchers around the world, including internationally known concussion expert John J. Leddy, MD, clinical professor of orthopaedics and sports medicine in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, have developed an easy-to-follow guide so parents and coaches can recognize concussions in young athletes and respond appropriately.

“Concussion Recognition: A Guide for Parents and Coaches,” which was published Nov. 5 in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and which is publicly available, was developed in response to concerns that because qualified athletic trainers aren’t always on hand at youth sporting events, coaches and parents should know the signs of concussion and what to do if they see them.

‘Recognize and remove’

The bottom line is “recognize and remove,” the authors say. Evidence shows that earlier recognition and removal of the athlete is correlated with a quicker return to competition.

“So if you’re telling parents that you can reduce your child’s recovery time by half, that’s probably pretty good motivation to remove them and get them into a health care provider as quick as possible,” says Leddy, who is also director of the Concussion Management and Research Center at UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

“They don’t have to diagnose it,” he says. “They just have to suspect it. If they suspect it, then the advice is to take that athlete out of the sport, remove him or her from further risk, and get them seen by a medical professional who knows how to evaluate this condition.”

Lead author Ruairi Connolly, MD, a physiatrist at Cork University Hospital in Ireland, said that while the article is based on two leading scientific documents in the field, the team purposely wrote the guide using accessible language. They collected feedback on the wording in their draft from coaches and parents before the article was published.

The article includes a QR code that links to a two-page “Concussion Recognition Tool” that can be used by non-medically trained individuals to identify and manage a suspected concussion.

Designating a parent

Co-author Jennifer Wethe, PhD, former director of the Mayo Clinic Arizona Concussion Program, suggested that parents adopt a “safety officer model” in which there is a designated parent who knows what to look for. 

“Coaches are very busy. Getting this into the hands of motivated parents is how I think this information can make it to the grassroots level,” she says. “Don’t underestimate the power of highly motivated parents who are concerned about something like this. I see a lot of explaining away injuries unless there is something very specific to follow. Parents and coaches need a protocol, something they can go through step by step.”

The researchers stress that concussions happen in many sports besides football. Wethe cited ice hockey, biking, soccer, volleyball — even cheer squad. Connolly noted rugby and something as simple as “someone falling over outside playing in the schoolyard.”

Jaclyn Stephens, PhD, co-author and Colorado State University associate professor and occupational therapist, emphasized that young women athletes also need to be considered, since some studies have shown a higher prevalence of concussion among female athletes, which may be related to differences in neck muscle strength. 

“If we only think about concussion as a professional football problem, we’re failing to consider female athletes,” she said.

Stephens and co-author Ann Guernon, PhD, an associate professor of speech-language pathology at Lewis University, recently co-chaired the Athlete Development and Sports Rehabilitation Networking Group for the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. The researchers’ article is based on that definition of concussion/mild traumatic brain injury, as well as the 6th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport.

In addition to Connolly, Guernon, Leddy, Stephens and Wethe, the authors represent a variety of fields, from physical therapists to medical doctors to neuropsychologists to speech therapists. 

CHICAGO, Ill. – North Park Men’s Volleyball is set to kick off its 2026 season following an improved 2025 campaign. Last season marked head coach Brittany Welch‘s first year at the helm after serving two years as an assistant coach under program founder Mike Sopocy. In her debut season, the Vikings finished 10-17, a three-match improvement from their 8-20 record in 2024, but struggled in conference play with a 2-8 mark. Welch noted that her first year provided both her and the Vikings with much-needed clarity on what it would take for the team to take the next step.

“One of the biggest lessons we learned was that growth has to be intentional and driven by daily standards,” Welch said.

This season, Welch has challenged her players to “Be the Change,” which has become the team’s motto. The phrase sets the standard for raising accountability, preparation, and consistency. According to Welch, becoming the change starts with practice and training habits. To address last year’s 2-8 CCIW record, the team has built practices around “serving with purpose, passing under pressure, and holding ourselves accountable to execution every day.”

During the offseason, the Vikings focused on emulating game-like reps in training, attaching consequences to mistakes to emphasize the importance of being fundamentally sound. By tracking error percentages, rewarding efficiency, and creating pressure situations that mirror conference play, the goal is to clean up offensive tempo and decision-making.

A major point of concern last season was hitting efficiency, which sat at .183, while opponents hit .245. When asked about improving that number, Welch explained:

“We’ve emphasized taking smarter swings—understanding when to be aggressive and when to extend the rally—rather than feeling the need to terminate every ball. That includes better shot selection, higher contact points, and attacking with intention instead of forcing errors.”

With several senior starters graduating, North Park will lean on its youth and a handful of returning players. Welch expressed excitement about her young roster:

“We’re going to have a very young starting group this season. Those players have already proven how valuable they are through their work ethic, competitiveness, and consistency in the gym.”

She added that their energy is contagious, their hunger is palpable, and their strong desire to win resonates throughout the team.

North Park’s first scrimmage is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, against Indiana Tech, followed by their regular-season opener on Friday, January 16, against Dominican University, a team currently receiving national votes in the Division III polls.

WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) – A federal judge in San Francisco has dismissed most of a proposed class action challenging restrictions on how high school students can earn money from athletics, allowing only a narrow claim over sponsorships to move forward.

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But Beeler said a proposed class of students can continue to challenge a rule that prohibits athletes from earning money from sponsorships while wearing high-school uniforms.

The judge also dismissed a group of media defendants from the lawsuit, saying they had no role in formulating the athletic rules at issue in the case.

Lawyers for the named plaintiff did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The California Interscholastic Federation declined to comment.

The lawsuit is among the first in the United States seeking to break down barriers to compensation for potentially hundreds of thousands of current and former high school athletes, including by allowing students or their sponsors to commercialize students’ names, images and likenesses for branding and advertising.

The California Interscholastic Federation serves more than 800,000 athletes annually and is the country’s largest youth sports agency, according to the lawsuit. The federation’s members include more than 1,600 public and private high schools in California.

The lawsuit, filed in June, challenged an amateurism rule that says students can’t receive athletic awards of more than $250 for regular season games or $500 for post-season games. The lawsuit also targeted a rule that curtails transfers between schools for athletic reasons.

In her ruling, Beeler said the state’s regulatory scheme shows lawmakers “anticipated and intended restraints on competition in favor of the objectives of amateurism and prioritizing education.”

Beeler said the plaintiffs could file an amended lawsuit by Feb. 2.

The case is Dominik Calhoun v. California Interscholastic Federation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 3:25-cv-4603.

For plaintiff: Yaman Salahi of Salahi PC, and Joel Young of The Tidrick Law Firm

For California Interscholastic Federation: C. Scott Lent and Daniel Asimow of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer

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