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Folsom Ranch Sports Complex plans submitted. What’s next?

The project is large enough to require environmental review, which typically means hearings by the city council and planning commission are about six months out. FOLSOM, Calif. — Plans for a large sports complex south of Highway 50 have been formally submitted to Folsom, and the city weighed in on next steps and a timeline […]

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The project is large enough to require environmental review, which typically means hearings by the city council and planning commission are about six months out.

FOLSOM, Calif. — Plans for a large sports complex south of Highway 50 have been formally submitted to Folsom, and the city weighed in on next steps and a timeline for the project.

The Folsom Ranch Sports Complex, an approximately 410,000-square-foot recreation facility, will occupy almost 21 acres at the northeast corner of Prairie City Road and Alder Creek Parkway, officials said.

“A project of this magnitude, which will require environmental review, typically takes about six months before it is heard by the Planning Commission and the City Council,” the city wrote Monday in an email to ABC10. “We anticipate this project to be heard before the end of this year. The exact timeline will depend on the results of the city’s review and the duration of the environmental review process.”

Folsom said it will invite the community to participate in review through public hearings.

What does the proposed complex feature?

The facility is reportedly designed to host tournaments and practices for ice hockey, figure skating, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, lacrosse and soccer, among other sports.

  • A 3,000-seat area with a National Hockey League-sized ice sheet.
  • Two other NHL-sized ice sheets; the three rinks can provide nine youth rinks total when divided.
  • Up to 24 volleyball courts or 27 youth basketball courts when converted.
  • 145,000 square feet of outdoor space, including a 126,000-square-foot covered and lit outdoor turf field.
  • About 20,000 square feet of medical treatment and office space focusing on sports rehabilitation.

The complex can accommodate live music, festivals, conferences and art galleries when not in use for sporting events, according to the company behind the project, The Mettle Shop.

Sacramento County is the largest county in the U.S. without a year-round ice facility and there are no full ice sheets within a 30-minute drive of the project site, The Mettle Shop said. The sports complex aims to address this “gap” while supporting what organizers said is a growing popularity of ice sports in California.

“We’re thrilled to reach this milestone in bringing a much-needed recreational facility to Folsom and the greater Sacramento region,” said Joe Wagoner, CEO of The Mettle Shop. “…Our vision is to create a venue that strengthens community bonds through sports, recreation, and entertainment.”

Folsom Mayor Sarah Aquino said the city’s eagerly awaited the facility’s formal application.

“A facility of this scale could bring exciting new opportunities for recreation, tourism, entertainment, and economic activity to our city,” she said. “While the concept still needs to go through the city’s thorough review process, we appreciate the developer’s investment in Folsom and look forward to learning more as the proposal moves forward.”

Folsom Ranch Sports Complex renderings. Here’s what it could look like

What are economic, other impacts on the community?

Applicants estimate the complex would serve more than 1.3 million visitors per year and annually generate $23.7 million from retail, lodging, food and entertainment sales.

The facility would create over 400 full-time jobs, ABC10 reported in 2022.

Joe Gagliardi, CEO of Choose Folsom which includes the Folsom Tourism Bureau, called the project a “game-changer” for the business community.

“The Folsom Ranch Sports Complex will drive new visitor spending, create jobs, and open doors for local businesses to grow alongside the city’s expanding infrastructure,” he said. “It reflects the kind of visionary development that supports both economic vitality and quality of life for our residents.”

Rich Francis, president of nonprofit Folsom Athletic Association, said the city’s local sports organizations have long advocated for more high-quality facilities.

“The Folsom Ranch Sports Complex will dramatically expand opportunities for our youth and adult athletes alike, allowing us to host tournaments and competitions that were previously impossible in our area,” Francis said. “Our association represents more than 15,000 young athletes and families through Recreational and Competitive teams, and this facility will only be a net positive.”

The Mettle Shop team said it has experience managing and operating professional and recreational sports in venues like Golden 1 Center, the Oakland Coliseum, Sutter Health Park and Heart Health Park.

WATCH MORE: California’s Newsom eyes potential team up with Trump to “Make America Film Again’

ABC10: Watch, Download, Read



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Florida Minority Baseball Clinic to host free clinic for youth | News

Young high school baseball players are shown during a past Sunshine Classic Show- case, which is put on by the Florida Minority Baseball Alliance. The Florida Minority Baseball Alliance is hosting a free baseball clinic for youth ages 5 to 12 years old at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday, June 7 at 8 a.m. The […]

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Florida Minority Baseball Clinic to host free clinic for youth

Young high school baseball players are shown during a past Sunshine Classic Show- case, which is put on by the Florida Minority Baseball Alliance.


The Florida Minority Baseball Alliance is hosting a free baseball clinic for youth ages 5 to 12 years old at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday, June 7 at 8 a.m.

The clinic is part of the Florida Minority Baseball Alliance’s Florida Sunshine Classic, which is a three-day event that promotes minority baseball players and baseball in minority communities. 

The event will be at Jackie Robinson Ball- park from Thursday, June 5 to Saturday, June 7. The clinic is on the third and final day of the three-day event.

The Sunshine Classic Game is at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday, June 7 at 10 a.m.

Kids that attend the clinic can go to the game for free.

Also, during the three-day event there will be a parents’ conference, meet and greet, luncheon, players showcase and a college fair.

For more information, the complete schedule, registration and more, visit https://www.thefmba.org.



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Sycamore folk dancers celebrate culture | News, Sports, Jobs

SPIRIT OF POLAND — More than 50 young dancers took to the stage at the Sycamore Youth Center May 6 to perform the “Spirit of Poland” folk dance celebration. — Contributed STEUBENVILLE — The Sycamore Youth Center was alive with color, movement and music on the evening of May 6, as […]

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SPIRIT OF POLAND — More than 50 young dancers took to the stage at the Sycamore Youth Center May 6 to perform the “Spirit of Poland” folk dance celebration.
— Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Sycamore Youth Center was alive with color, movement and music on the evening of May 6, as more than 50 young dancers took the stage for the highly-anticipated “Spirit of Poland” folk dance celebration.

Hosted by the Sycamore Folk Dancers and led by directors Zac Gordon and Jariel Henthorn, the event drew a packed house of parents, community members and cultural enthusiasts.

The performance began at 7 p.m. and featured traditional Polish folk dancing and singing, showcasing the beauty and vibrancy of Polish culture.

Dressed in festive costumes and dancing with enthusiasm, students brought to life songs and traditions that spanned generations.

“This was truly one of the most moving and joyful events we’ve ever had at the Sycamore Youth Center,” said Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the center and president of the Ohio Valley Youth Network. “To see these young people celebrate faith, culture and community with such heart, was nothing short of inspiring.”

The “Spirit of Poland” event was the culmination of months of dedicated rehearsals under the guidance of Gordon and Henthorn, who have poured their time and passion into mentoring the young performers.

The Sycamore Youth Center continues to be a hub for arts, faith and youth development in the Ohio Valley.

The “Spirit of Poland” was just one example of what can happen when tradition meets passion in the hearts of the next generation.



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Six local athletes earned NJCAA All-American honors and Angel Addleman and Devyn Netz earned collegiate honors

Share Tweet Share Share Email Six local athletes earned All-American status at the NJCAA Division I Outdoor National Championships held in Hutchinson, Kansas: Morgan Pepe (Ironwood Ridge: Fifth place in Pole Vault), Hannah Droeg (Ironwood Ridge: Sixth place in Heptathlon), Ella Allred (Benson: Seventh place […]

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Six local athletes earned All-American status at the NJCAA Division I Outdoor National Championships held in Hutchinson, Kansas:

Morgan Pepe (Ironwood Ridge: Fifth place in Pole Vault), Hannah Droeg (Ironwood Ridge: Sixth place in Heptathlon), Ella Allred (Benson: Seventh place in 4×800 relay), Reatta Danhof (Ironwood Ridge: Seventh place in 4×800 relay), Linda Rivero (Desert View: Seventh place in 4×800 relay), and Nathaniel Curtiss (Rincon/University: Third place in High Jump).

Former Palo Verde basketball standout Angel Addleman earned the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC) Cliff Hamlow Champion of Character Award for OUAZ. According to the GSAC, Addleman has been a standout on the court for the Spirit Women’s Basketball team, averaging 15.3 points per game and regularly earning Player of the Week considerations. Off the court, she holds an impressive 3.95 GPA as a Communications major and has earned Scholar-Athlete honors at both the NCCAA and GSAC levels. A leader in faith and service, she actively participates in the campus Worship band, contributes to Spirit Life events, and volunteers with the elderly and at youth basketball camps.

Former Ironwood Ridge standout Devyn Netz was named to the NFCA West Region Team.

This list will be updated all year in an effort to recognize all former local prep stars who have gone on to win either academic and/or athletic awards at the next level. These are not high school awards but collegiate and professional recognition. NOT CHAMPIONSHIPS. If you are aware of anything I have missed along the way, please let me know. amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com

Portions from news release.

Devyn Netz/Softball
Ironwood Ridge/Arizona
D1Softball Top 100 (1/13)
Top Cat of the Week (2/10)
Big 12 Pitcher of the Week (2/25)
Softball America Star of the Week (4/2)
Top Cat of the Week (4/1)
Arizona Ruby Award Finalist (4/25)
Arizona Highlight of the Year (4/28)
Big 12 Pitcher of the Week (4/29)
Big 12 All-Tournament Team (5/10)
Big 12 Player of the Year (5/7)
Big 12 First Team (5/7)
Big All-Defense Team (5/7)
NFCA West Region First Team (5/15)

Morgan Pepe/Track and Field
Ironwood Ridge/Pima
NJCAA Indoor All-American Pole Vault (3/9)
All-American (5/17)

Nathaniel Curtiss/Track and Field
Rincon/UHS/Pima
All-American (5/17)

Hannah Droeg/Track and Field
Ironwood Ridge/Pima
All-American (5/17)

Ella Allred/Track and Field
Benson/Pima
All-American (5/17)

Reatta Danhof/Track and Field
Ironwood Ridge/Pima
All-American (5/17)

Linda Rivero/Track and Field
Desert View/Pima
All-American (5/17)

Angel Addleman/Basketball
Palo Verde/ OUAZ
GSAC Winter Scholar Athlete (2/25)
GSAC All-Conference (2/25)

Tanvi Narendran/Tennis
Rincon/UHS/Arizona
Big Scholar Athlete of the Year (4/30)

Olivia Rubio/Beach Volleyball
Catalina Foothills/Arizona
XII Student Athlete of the Month (3/22)
Arizona Unsung Hero Award Finalist (4/24)
Arizona Unsung Hero Award (4/28)

Julia Holt/Softball
Canyon del Oro/Howard
MEAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year (1/30)
MEAC Preseason First Team (1/30)
CSE Top 50 (1/25)
MEAC Pitcher of the Week (3/4)
MEAC All-Academic (5/5)
MEAC All-Conference (5/6)

Alexis Aguirre/Softball
Canyon del Oro/Eastern AZ Coach
ACCAC Coach of the Year (5/7)

Arianna Flores/Softball
Salpointe/Pima
ACCAC D-II Pitcher of the Week (1/29)
ACCAC D-II Pitcher of the Week (2/5)
ACCAC D-II Pitcher of the Week (2/13)
ACCAC D-II Pitcher of the Week (2/20)
ACCAC D-II Co-Pitcher of the Year (5/7)
First Team All-ACCAC Division II (5/7)
All-Region I, Division II (5/7)

Jiselle Nunez/Softball
Tucson/Pima
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (2/13)
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (2/26)
First Team All-ACCAC D-II (5/7)
All-Region I, Division II (5/7)

Natalya Rivera/Softball
Sunnyside/Pima
NJCAA D-II National Player of the Week (2/20)
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (2/20)
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (1/29)
First Team All-ACCAC (5/7)
All-Region I, Division II (5/7)

Talia Martin/Softball
Mountain View/Pima
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (3/12)
First Team All-ACCAC (5/7)
All-Region I, Division II (5/7)

Jessica Thompson/Softball
Tanque Verde/Pima
Second Team All-ACCAC (5/7)
All-Region I, Division II (5/7)

Aubrey Marx/Softball
Cienega/Pima
ACCAC Player of the Week (4/25)
Second Team All-ACCAC (5/7)
All-Region I, Division II (5/7)

Alyssa Noriega/Softball
Pueblo/Pima
Second Team All-ACCAC (5/7)
All-Region I, Division II (5/7)

Lili Vigil German/Softball
Ironwood Ridge/Arizona Western
ACCAC Pitcher of the Week (3/26)
All-ACCAC First Team (5/7)
All-Region I, Division I (5/7)

Destanee Nez/Softball
Canyon del Oro/Eastern AZ
All-ACCAC First Team (5/7)
All-Region I, Division I (5/7)

Brianna Wunderle/Softball
Marana/Central Arizona
ACCAC Player of the Week (4/18)
All-ACCAC First Team (5/7)
All-Region I, Division I (5/7)

Mya Hernandez/Softball
Sahuaro/Central Arizona
All-ACCAC First Team (5/7)

Reese McFarland/Softball
Sabino/Eastern Arizona
All-ACCAC First Team (5/7)

Luis Pablo Navarro/Baseball
Walden Grove/Pima
ACCAC D-II Pitcher of the Week (2/20)
ACCAC D-II Second Team (4/29)
All-Region Second Team (4/29)

Belen Camacho/Softball
Pueblo/Pima
ACCAC Pitcher of the Week (4/13)
ACCAC Pitcher of the Week (4/25)

Paul Vasquez/Wrestling
Pueblo/Sahuarita Coach
NWCA Coach of the Year (4/2)

Savannah Gutierrez/Soccer
Tucson/Texas A&M International
Defensive Player of the Year (4/29)

Gianna Pancost/Softball
Sabino/Colorado Springs
All-RMAC Second Team (4/30)

Daniel Miranda/Wrestling
Mountain View/ASU
NWCA Scholar All-American (4/2)

Trayvion White-Austin/Track
Sahuaro/Arizona
NCAA Indoor All-American (3/15)
Arizona Sapphire Ward Finalist (4/26)

Mason White/Baseball
Salpointe/Arizona
Perfect Game Preseason Third Team All-American (1/7)
Preseason All-Big 12 Team (1/23)
NCBWA Preseason All-American (2/7)
Big 12 Player of the Week (4/21)

Michael Masunas/Football
Sabino/Michigan State
Spartan Academic Highest Honor (4/15)

Brianna Arizmendi/Basketball
Salpointe/Knox
CSC Academic All-District (3/27)

Audrey Jimenez/Wrestling
Sunnyside/Lehigh
MOW US U20 World Team (4/6)

Brian Peabody/Basketball
Sahuaro/Pima Coach
NJCAA West District COY (3/25)

Joey Staiger/Baseball
Cienega/National Park
NJCAA Region 2 Pitcher of the Week (3/1)

Isaiah Roebuck/Baseball
Marana/Jamestown
Kennedy S. Wanner Award (4/4)

Lucas Casey/Baseball
Canyon del Oro/Pima
ACCAC D-II Pitcher of the Week (1/29)
ACCAC D-II Pitcher of the Week (3/26)

Diego Bejarano/Baseball
Tucson/ Park-Gilbert
GSAC Champion of Character (3/26)

Lauryn Carbajal/Softball
Sunnyside/Western New Mexico
Athlete of the Week (3/24)
D-II Top Hitter (3/25)

Lillian Gradillas-Flores/Wrestling
Mountain View/Southern Oregon
NAIA All-America (3/15)

Marisol Peña/Wrestling
Cienega/GCU
NCWC All-American (3/15)

Paris Mikinski/High Jump
Salpointe/Arizona
NCAA Indoor All-American (3/15)

Maddie Hairgrove/Softball
Catalina Foothills/Jamestown
NSAA Pitcher of the Week (3/10)

Leah Salas/Softball
Sahuarita/Embry Riddle
GSAC Player of the Week (3/10)

Vanessa Brink/Softball
Empire/Embry Riddle
GSAC Pitcher of the Week (3/10)

Hope Hisey/Soccer
Canyon del Oro/Spokane
USL Super League Team of the Month (3/4)

Alma Garcia/Softball
Salpointe/Benedictine
Midwest College Classic Player of the Tournament (3/7)

Maylee Thompson/Track and Field
Willcox/Pima
NJCAA Indoor All-American Long Jump (3/9)
NJCAA Indoor All-American Pentathlon (3/9)

Coben Bourguet/Football
Salpointe/ASU
NFF Valley of the Sun Scholar Athlete (3/8)

Trenton Bourguet/Football
Marana/ASU
NFF Valley of the Sun Scholar Athlete (3/8)

Bria Medina/Basketball
Salpointe/Knox College
MWC Performer of the Week (1/12)
MWC Performer of the Week (2/17)
Midwest All-Conference (3/4)

Sean Elliott/Basketball
Cholla/Arizona
UA Humanities Alumni of the Year (3/3)

Alyssa Bronw/Basketball
Sahuaro/UNLV
Player of the Game (2/23)

Mat’Tanaya Vital/Basketball
Amphitheater/Pima
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (2/27)

Makayla Holthaus/Basketball
Ironwood Ridge/OUAZ
GSAC Winter Scholar Athlete (2/25)

Landyn Lewis/Golf
Tucson/PGA Southwest
PGA Southwest Patriot Award (2/28)

Bruno Fina/Football
Salpointe/Duke
CSC Academic All-District (1/7)
CSC Academic All-America 2nd Team (1/28)

Nayeli Nidez Acuña/Basketball
Sunnyside/Knox College
MWC Performer of the Week (1/21)

Lathan Ransom/Football
Salpointe/Ohio State
PFF Highest Graded Run Defender (1/17)

Bryce Cotton/Basketball
Palo Verde/Perth Wildcats
Game 23 MVP (1/16)
Game 22 MVP (1/15)
Game 21 MVP (1/6)

Wes Ball/Basketball
Marana/Pima
ACCAC Player of the Week (1/9)

Dylan Cook/Football
Ironwood Ridge/Morehead State
CSC Academic All-District (1/7)

Tyler Mustain/Football
Pusch Ridge/Arizona
CSC Academic All-District (1/7)










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Chelsea, Tottenham Join Bournemouth in Battle With Bayer Leverkusen to Sign PSG Youth Product

A trio of Premier League clubs, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Bournemouth, are reportedly in a race to sign promising PSG center-back Axel Tape, who is set to leave the club as a free agent this summer. The PSG youth academy continues to produce top talent, with Warren Zaire-Emery and Senny Mayulu among the latest to […]

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A trio of Premier League clubs, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Bournemouth, are reportedly in a race to sign promising PSG center-back Axel Tape, who is set to leave the club as a free agent this summer.

The PSG youth academy continues to produce top talent, with Warren Zaire-Emery and Senny Mayulu among the latest to make their mark. However, not every young player gets the same opportunity, and some may need to look elsewhere to move forward, which is the case for Tape.

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At 17, Axel Tape made his senior debut under Luis Enrique in January, starting in a Coupe de France win over Espaly. He has also been included in five matchday squads across Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

Tape stood out with the PSG Under-19 team this season, scoring three goals in 11 appearances and showing he can contribute going forward despite playing as a defender.

Tottenham, Chelsea persist in securing PSG talent

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Sports Zone reported on Saturday that PSG no longer expects Axel Tape to reverse his decision — the young defender is set to leave the club this summer. Bayer Leverkusen currently lead the race for his signature, but Bournemouth, Tottenham, and Chelsea are all showing strong interest in his profile. A final decision is expected soon.

The main reason behind the decision is reportedly PSG’s strong defensive depth, with Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo, Lucas Hernandez, Willian Pacho and Presnel Kimpembe all ahead of him in the pecking order.

With first-team opportunities looking limited, Tape has decided to explore other options, and both Tottenham and Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly working to secure a deal.



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Staten Island’s youngest lacrosse players compete at St. Peter’s HS (128 action-packed photos)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island’s only youth lacrosse program, Statlax, held games against the Brooklyn Lacrosse Club on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Three games were held for different age categories at St. Peter’s High School. Coach Howard Fugate expressed the importance of the program. “Being able to compete at this age is allowing our […]

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May 19, 2025

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island’s only youth lacrosse program, Statlax, held games against the Brooklyn Lacrosse Club on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Three games were held for different age categories at St. Peter’s High School.

Coach Howard Fugate expressed the importance of the program.

“Being able to compete at this age is allowing our players to really be prepared to compete once they reach high school,” said the coach.

Clutch goals, big passes and big defensive plays were the order of the day as the young athletes showcased their talent in front of SILive.com/Advance‘s cameras.

It’s all part of SILive.com’s and the Advance’s spotlight on youth sports in the borough. We will visit leagues like this and snap many photos of your kids with our cameras.

Check out the gallery below for the best photos of the day.

SUBSCRIBER BENEFIT: SILive.com is offering a perk exclusively for subscribers: Log in, click on the photo gallery and choose GET PHOTO to download print-quality images free of charge. Note to SILive.com mobile app users: To download high-resolution photos, please access this report and gallery from a standard mobile or desktop/laptop web browser.



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Why it’s time to delay tackling in junior sports until the age of 12

Many children across Australia have begun to play their favourite contact sports like rugby league, rugby union and Australian rules football. Many will be just starting out during their early years of primary school. Yet there are growing concerns these young athletes may be at heightened risk of sports-related concussions due to their more vulnerable […]

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Many children across Australia have begun to play their favourite contact sports like rugby league, rugby union and Australian rules football.

Many will be just starting out during their early years of primary school.

Yet there are growing concerns these young athletes may be at heightened risk of sports-related concussions due to their more vulnerable developing brains.

Our new opinion article, published in Sports Medicine, presents the case for delaying all full-contact tackling until the age of 12, based on the current body of evidence and ongoing debate in the field.

Some see this as a necessary step to safeguard children’s brains. Others worry it might leave kids unprepared for more physical challenges as they grow.

But children are not mini adults.

Why age 12?

Children have thinner cranial bones, proportionally larger heads and weaker neck muscles than adults, making them more vulnerable to rotational and linear forces during head impacts.



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A stronger neck can help young athletes reduce their risk of concussion

Their neural pathways are still maturing, so repeated head knocks – referred to as “sub-concussive” impacts, which don’t produce obvious concussion symptoms – may pose greater risks for long-term brain development.

Around the ages of eight to 12 is a sweet spot for children’s cognitive and motor development, as they make significant gains in physical fitness, motor coordination, body awareness and cognitive functions such as reaction time and decision-making.

An eight-year-old, for instance, may struggle with the rapid judgements required to align their shoulder and brace their neck properly when tackling a moving player.

However, by 12, many can execute these decisions with greater consistency.

Aligning physical growth with cognitive readiness can allow young athletes to enter contact situations with a firmer grasp of safe techniques and the confidence to use them during games.

Why this might be needed

A common misconception is delaying full-body contact means not teaching it at all.

Children should be gradually taught skills like body positioning, safe falling and correct shoulder placement before they are faced with high-intensity collisions.

This means children get time to master core skills of the sport, such as catching, passing, kicking and tactics, free from the added demands of body-to-body contact.

This dual focus on skill-based contact training and fundamental sport skills promotes a more holistic athlete development aligned with childhood development.

Unsurprisingly, studies show non-contact versions of sports have fewer head impacts than those in full-contact leagues.

Weight-based categories, such as those used in some junior rugby competitions, aim to lower injury risks by preventing physical mismatches. However, they don’t fully address poor technique or cognitive readiness.

Many leagues across the world are modifying contact rules to reduce youth injuries, with ice hockey the best example.

Some ice hockey competitions in North America raised the introduction of body checking (when players crash into each other with their hips or shoulders) to 13–14 years of age, resulting in significantly lower injury rates among younger players.

Studies also found delaying body checking did not increase concussion risk in later years, supporting the idea that “later is safer”.

The argument against

Delaying full-body contact (such as tackling) in youth sport remains controversial.

Some argue early contact fosters character and builds resilience and physical readiness despite the risk to a developing brain.

But while early findings suggest delaying contact can reduce injuries, we still don’t have enough long-term studies to prove the full impact over time.

Delaying tackling also poses a challenge, as modifying a sport’s contact rules is complex, and cultural resistance or limited coaching resources in community leagues can hinder change.

Still, many believe that with appropriate formats, coach education and a phased introduction, it is possible to balance skill development with athlete safety.

A way forward

A potential way forward involves structured, progressive skill development, and gradually teaching young players how to give and receive contact, initially in controlled, low-intensity settings. The emphasis should be focused on safe falling, bracing, neck strengthening and correct head placement.

Some experts also recommend a broader approach that makes safety part of everything in sport, including everything from how coaches teach to the rules of the game to the overall culture.

By ensuring consistency across coaches, referees and administrators, this model helps reduce the risk of concussions.

With a structured progression and strong safety culture, more children will be physically and cognitively prepared to participate in full-contact sports confidently, safely and with greater long-term enjoyment and retention.

Growing evidence supports introducing contact in a developmentally appropriate way to improve safety.

Earlier collisions may raise the risk of concussions without offering much benefit in the long run.

A delayed approach, with progressive skill instruction, may be safer and allow children to develop core skills first.

It’s a way to protect young brains and ensure every child can play confidently and safely once they transition to full-contact tackling, promoting long-term participation safely.



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