One of the top concerns of youth pastors and ministry leaders is how often families are skipping church for travel sports. There’s no survey calculating how many families choose sports over church, and there’s a surprising lack of data surrounding how youth sports affect the local church. But most of us don’t need statistical evidence to prove what we experience each weekend. We all see it and feel it.

Yet it’s important to recognize that sports aren’t the enemy. Today’s youth sports culture presents an opportunity to do what ministry leaders should do best: help our people learn how to live in the world but not be of the world.

How do we do that when it comes to youth sports? How can sports become a strategic context for the life of our missional community? How can it function practically as an unsuspecting teammate instead of as our primary competitor?

Here are eight ideas ministry leaders can leverage to use sports as a missional ally, inspired by our new book Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. Four of them use your home-field advantage (church building), and the other four use an away-game opportunity (church body).

Home-Field Advantage (at Church)

1. Resource the kids by equipping their parents.

Most parents feel ill-equipped in the youth sports space because they aren’t being discipled for it. So it makes sense when they default to following the herd. Christian parents desperately need countercultural, sports-themed resources, created and shared by the church, to help them swim against the current.

• Send them a weekly email (or post through social media) with tips for using sports as a playing field for spiritual formation. Curate a library of resources (sermons, audiobooks, and so on) for parents to listen to as they drive across state lines for the next competition.
• Create a devotional for the parents or kids (or both). If you can’t write it yourself, there’s a growing list of options for youth sports parents on YouVersion.
• Host a one-night event for youth sports parents specifically aimed at giving them a biblical approach to navigating this space. Leave plenty of room for Q&A. There’s never going to be a night when everyone is available, but pick a night and get the conversation started. Record it so people can interact with it when it’s convenient for them.

2. Make sports a regular part of your conversation.

Families involved in sports want—and need—to know that God cares about the way they think about and engage with sports.

They probably know they should glorify God through their sport. But most athletes haven’t been taught about pursuing God’s glory by anyone other than a high-profile athlete in a postgame soundbite. They assume it means a pre- or postgame prayer, pointing to heaven when good things happen, or giving God a shout-out to the media.

How can sports function practically as an unsuspecting teammate instead of as our primary competitor?

But the church can teach them what it looks like to approach sports in a way that honors God more holistically.

First, give them a theology of sports. Find ways to help them understand that God created sports as a good gift to be enjoyed.

Our sinful nature has fractured this good gift and turned it into one of culture’s most sacred idols. As Christians, we redeem sports back to their intended purpose by refusing to “conform to the pattern of this world” (Rom. 12:2, NIV) while embracing what it means to play with gratitude, with complete freedom, and conscious of God’s presence amid his good gift of play.

Second, give them biblical applications specific to sports. This is easy to include in a talk or sermon. Just contextualize your application to fit an athletic context.

For example, if you’re teaching on the Good Samaritan and what Jesus meant in his answer to “Who is my neighbor?” you might add something like this: “For those of you involved in sports, this means we need to have eyes to see those who need encouragement and help. It means comforting a person who just made a mistake or commending an opposing player on his or her skills after the game—no matter who won.”

3. Host a free middle school sports camp.

This has to be scheduled well in advance because sports schedules fill up quickly. But what parents wouldn’t want their young athlete to learn how to integrate faith and sport? What kid wouldn’t want to spend a couple of days away from the pressure of her current team and play with her friends?

A youth sports camp gives the church an opportunity to show and tell how sports can be experienced as a good gift from God.

4. Start a discipleship initiative pairing former coaches and athletes at your church with younger athletes.

Did you know that 65 percent of adult Americans grew up playing sports? That means two-thirds of your church knows what it’s like to think, breathe, and play sports. What if you equipped your discipleship bench with 10 to 15 former athletes or coaches who agreed to meet a few times with any young athlete at your church to talk about life, faith—and sports?

Little Olivia may not want to learn from her parents. But she’d probably be willing to sit down and talk with any former female college athletes who attend your church. This uses the platform of sports as a bridge toward discipleship. Get your former athletes in the game!

Away-Game Opportunity (at the Field)

1. Go to them.

Showing up at their games sends unspoken messages to the athletes and their parents: “I care about you. I care about what you care about. I support your passion and what God created you to be.” Being at games offers the additional benefit of supporting other kids from the community.

If possible, bring another student or church parent with you to watch and cheer. This is a great space for shoulder-to-shoulder ministry but also for the participating athlete to feel the presence of a larger community supporting him.

2. Pack the community stands with your church body.

Encourage your entire church to show up at a local youth sports game together and cheer like crazy for your home team. You could have a lot of fun with this idea and build momentum within your church and the local community.

Showing up at their games sends an unspoken message to the athletes and their parents: ‘I care about you.’

You might choose a sport that rarely has fans show up. Give your church a roster so they know the names of each athlete participating. Imagine the ripple effects if your church became the community that every local athletic team hoped would choose their home game to show up and pack out the stadium. Tell them to cheer for the home team, not against the visiting team. And please, tell them not to yell at the officials!

3. Be the concession-stand MVP.

This is straight out of Jesus’s playbook. Meet the people where they are—and find a way to feed them. Assuming you have a budget for this, give everyone in the stands a ticket for a free concession-stand item.

This supports your local team or school (which is a partnership win), and it’s a huge win for everyone who gets a free snack or drink. If you’re able to print your church name, address, and service times on the ticket, that’s a great way to invite people to church.

4. Bring drinks for everyone.

If there are no concessions, show up at your local fields and bless the parents with free drinks. Give water when it’s hot and coffee when it’s not. Again, feel free to put your church information on stickers or flyers. Let people know how they can join your God-glorifying, sports-loving church community.

Bonus Idea: Host or provide a pregame meal. Youth sports teams occasionally meet at one of the parents’ houses and share a meal. If this is true of a team connected to a church member, consider offering to let them use the church facilities.

If you have the resources, you might even want to supply the food. Check with the coach to see if a quick devotion or testimony would be permitted. If not, you can always print flyers for any interested parents or students.

Key Takeaways

• Subaru’s Gear for Good initiative targets distribution of at least 2,026 pieces of soccer equipment through April 2026 across Philadelphia and Camden communities
• Five beneficiary organizations selected to receive new gear tailored to their program needs: Capitolo Youth Soccer Club, Dr. Henry H. Davis School, Project Primacy, Safe-Hub Philly, and Youth Development United
• Collection network includes 17 Subaru retailers and Subaru Park, with equipment flowing to more than 100 youth programs through partnerships with Leveling the Playing Field and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
• Initiative launches ahead of major soccer events coming to Philadelphia in 2026, leveraging timing to expand youth access to the sport
• Community members can donate gear through April 3, 2026, with sweepstakes prizes including a trip to the 2026 MLS All-Star Weekend

Subaru of America announced December 5 the five local organizations that will receive equipment through its Gear for Good initiative, a soccer-focused program designed to expand youth access in the Philadelphia and Camden region. The automaker structured the program around both direct equipment grants to selected organizations and an ongoing collection system that distributes gear to youth programs across the area.

Equipment Distribution Through Dual-Track System

The initiative operates through two distribution channels. The five named beneficiary organizations will receive brand-new equipment from Subaru customized to their specific program requirements. Separately, Subaru established a collection network of 17 retail locations plus Subaru Park in Chester, PA, where community members can donate new or gently used soccer gear including cleats, goalie gloves, shin guards, and balls.

Collected equipment flows to more than 100 youth programs through coordination with Leveling the Playing Field, a nonprofit specializing in sports equipment redistribution, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. The collection period runs through April 3, 2026, with Subaru targeting distribution of at least 2,026 pieces of equipment. Any surplus items beyond the five primary beneficiaries will reach additional youth organizations throughout the collection period.

“At Subaru, we believe in showing up for our communities in ways that truly matter,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America. “These organizations are already doing powerful work to support kids through the game of soccer, and we’re proud that Subaru: Gear for Good will help deepen that impact, especially as we head into 2026.”

Five Organizations Selected Based on Youth Development Mission

Subaru selected each beneficiary organization for its established work supporting local youth through soccer and sports development programs:

Capitolo Youth Soccer Club uses soccer to teach fitness, sportsmanship, respect, and community values. The club emphasizes player development through experimentation and creativity without judgment.

Dr. Henry H. Davis School in East Camden serves approximately 475 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade across various learning modalities. The school is named after Camden’s first medical inspector, whose work in school health and nutrition saved children’s lives in the early 1900s.

Project Primacy focuses specifically on Black and Brown children in inner-city Philadelphia, providing access to sports, mentorship, and development opportunities. The foundation runs free soccer clinics and fundraising events including its “Dribble & Carry” Broad Street RUNdraiser.

Safe-Hub Philly operates soccer-based out-of-school-time programs focused on personal development, health, education, and employment. The organization positions soccer as a stigma-free entry point for families to access supportive services.

Youth Development United provides children from under-served communities with extracurricular opportunities through sports and recreational programs, offering after-school and weekend activities that increase access to mentorship, wellness, and personal development.

Partnership Leverages Existing Infrastructure and Nonprofit Expertise

The program builds on existing relationships between Subaru, the Philadelphia Union, Leveling the Playing Field, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Subaru already has naming rights to the Union’s home stadium in Chester, giving the company an established presence in the region’s soccer community.

Leveling the Playing Field brings operational expertise in equipment collection and redistribution. Founded in 2013, the organization addresses cost barriers in youth sports by collecting and sorting donated equipment, then supplying it to schools, community programs, and youth organizations. This model allows youth programs to redirect limited budgets from equipment purchases toward transportation, nutrition, staffing, and program expansion.

“Partnering with Subaru in celebration of the global soccer heading to Philadelphia greatly amplifies our mission, to expand access and equity within the realm of youth sports,” said Kaitlin Brennan, Chief Operating Officer of Leveling the Playing Field. “This effort provides children with the opportunity to get involved with sports at a young age, granting the chance to experience the holistic benefits of youth sports on their physical, mental, and emotional health.”

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation manages nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways plus 500 recreation buildings, providing the public infrastructure where much of this equipment will be used. Commissioner Susan Slawson noted the initiative aligns with the city’s preparation for hosting major soccer events in 2026.

Community Engagement Through Donation Sweepstakes

To encourage community participation, Subaru created a sweepstakes tied to equipment donations. Legal U.S. residents age 18 and older living within a 75-mile radius of Subaru Park can enter for a chance to win prizes including a trip to the 2026 MLS All-Star Weekend. The sweepstakes runs concurrent with the collection period through April 3, 2026.

The initiative launched on the same day as draw announcements for soccer events coming to Philadelphia in 2026, timing designed to leverage heightened interest in the sport. Charlie Slonaker, Chief Revenue Officer of the Philadelphia Union, connected the equipment access initiative to broader participation goals.

“The Subaru: Gear for Good initiative helps remove equipment barriers, so access is determined by passion, not resources,” Slonaker said. “With the excitement of 2026 coming to Philadelphia, we’re proud to work with Subaru of America and Leveling the Playing Field to expand opportunities for youth across the area and help continue to grow the game.”

Strategic Context for Corporate Youth Sports Investment

The initiative represents Subaru’s approach to community engagement in a region where it maintains significant retail and branding presence. The company operates through approximately 640 retailers nationwide and manufactures vehicles in zero-landfill plants. Over the past 20 years, Subaru of America and its foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes aligned with company values, with employees logging over 115,000 volunteer hours.

For the Philadelphia Union, the program extends the club’s youth development focus. The Union has signed 25 academy prospects to homegrown player contracts and operates Philadelphia Union II, the Academy, Foundation, and Youth Programs under parent company Union Sports and Entertainment LLC. The club’s waterfront campus in Chester includes a training complex and over seven acres of professional-grade practice pitches, with a newly announced WSFS Bank Sportsplex featuring an indoor fieldhouse and seven outdoor fields.

The timing ahead of 2026 positions the initiative to capitalize on increased soccer interest while addressing equipment access barriers that limit youth participation. By distributing gear through established community programs and municipal recreation systems, the partnership aims to reach families who face cost barriers to sports participation.

Community members interested in donating equipment or learning about sweepstakes eligibility can find details at philadelphiaunion.com/SubaruGearforGood.

via: Subaru of America, Inc.

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About Youth Sports Business Report

Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.

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.

Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:

• Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
• Youth Sports events and tournament management
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• Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategies
• Sports technology and data analytics innovation
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• Sports content creation and digital media monetization

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.

About Play Up Partners

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.

What Does Play Up Partners Do?

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.

Our Approach

Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:

• Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
• Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
• Elevate the youth sports ecosystem

Our Vision

We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.

Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing

Where can I sponsor youth sports? How do I activate in youth sports? What is the ROI of youth sports marketing? How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?

We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.

Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.

Black Bear Sports Group is the private equity-sponsored organization that purchased Wings West in October and plans to reopen it next year. They’ve allegedly been buying struggling ice rinks and forcing their resident youth hockey teams to pay premiums for in-house services like insurance and game streaming.

That’s according to a report by investigative news outlet The Lever published last month.

The report says that parents are not allowed to record their kids’ games. Instead, they can opt to use Black Bear TV, the company’s streaming service that costs between $25 and $50 per month. Black Bear also charges each player $50 a year for registration and insurance fees.

A source connected with a Kalamazoo ice user group that uses Wings West spoke to WMUK on the condition of anonymity so they don’t jeopardize their relationship with Black Bear. They said that Black Bear has proposed an hourly ice rate that’s 30% more expensive than the previous owner’s rate. For locker room rentals, they plan to charge about twice as much annually.

Black Bear is allegedly forcing the source’s group to purchase their uniforms from a partner in New Jersey called Breakaway Sports – business that, in the past, went to local manufacturers.

They’ve also been asked to tack a brand partnership onto their longtime club name. According to the source, Black Bear has threatened the group with heightened fees if it fails to comply.

At the time of publication, Black Bear Sports Group has not responded to WMUK’s requests for comment by phone and email.

Brad VandenBerg — managing director of Stadium Management Corporation, which sold Wings West to Black Bear in October — declined to comment.

Together, We Change Lives

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Sideline Report

Today we’re bringing you the latest quarterly giving series from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation to highlight the great work being done in support of our mission to help inspire and enable youth sports participation.

In our third quarter of 2025, we:

• Committed up to $2 million in matching funds to The Josh Gibson Foundation to build a new state-of-the-art youth sports facility in Pittsburgh.

• Supported coaching summits in Chicago and New York City to give coaches tools to communicate with and empower youth athletes.

• Put more gear that gives back on store shelves.

Read on to learn more.

Coming Soon: The Josh Gibson Champions Club & Sports Matter Center

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation will contribute up to $2 million in matched donations to The Josh Gibson Foundation to build a new state-of-the-art youth sports facility in the Pittsburgh area.

The new facility, which will be called The Josh Gibson Champions Club & Sports Matter Center, will be developed and managed by The Josh Gibson Foundation. Designed to promote the mental, emotional and physical well-being of children, the facility will offer modern sports amenities, safe spaces for play and programming to help youth grow both on and off the field.

Read more about this powerful new partnership here.

The Power of Youth Sports Starts With Coaching

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation and GameChanger recently joined Nike for its coaching summits to Chicago and New York City. Sports Matter grantees in those cities were invited to a free training experience led by the Center for Healing & Justice Through Sport (CHJS). Coaches walked away with tools for communicating with athletes, building team engagement and belonging and empowering youth athletes to be brave, not perfect.

Take a look back at the Chicago summit here.

Meet the Sports Matter Impact League Organizations

This year we launched the Sports Matter Impact League, making three-year commitments to nine incredible organizations in nine cities across the country. Now we want to introduce you to those organizations! Watch this video to learn more about them and all the great work they do to support youth athletes.

Gear That Gives Back

DICK’S Sporting Goods athletes (consumers) helped us turn shopping into support! Through a grant made possible by DSG’s giveback program, The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s Sports Matter Program donated a $100,000 grant to Kesem, a national nonprofit organization helping children cope with a parent’s cancer by offering free summer camps, day programs and virtual meetups.

DSG, a DICK’S Sporting Goods vertical brand, contributes 1% of all sales directly to The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s Sports Matter Program.

dditionally, new Maxfli golf balls are driving impact with every purchase! A portion of every Sports Matter box of Tour, Tour S and Tour X Max Align golf balls goes to help fund youth sports programs nationwide.

Supporting Schools

Sports Matter provided a $500,000 grant to DonorsChoose in support of a classroom match campaign this back-to-school season. Educators across the country can apply for grants through DonorsChoose to put towards school sports and physical education programming that motivates students to get active and play!

Follow the Cause. Fuel the Impact.

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s Sports Matter Program is now live on social media!

• Follow us on Instagram here

• Follow us on TikTok here

• Follow us on Facebook here

Each of these channels gives us a new outlet to share our impact; highlight inspiring stories; and connect with our community of athletes, coaches and partners who continually support our mission to give every kid a chance to play.

THESE MOMENTS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SPORTS MATTER FUND. IF YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE, VISIT WWW.SPORTSMATTER.ORG.

Written by Hilary Totin

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DICK’S Sporting Goods on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: DICK’S Sporting Goods
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/dicks-sporting-goods
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: DICK’S Sporting Goods

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire