Youth sports aren’t just about scoring points, they’re about building confidence, social skills, and lifelong habits. This May, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, is a great time to focus on how sports help kids thrive.

Observed since 1983, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is an initiative created by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. This annual event promotes physical activity and sports participation. Sports offer kids the chance to explore movement, learn teamwork, and burn off energy in a positive way. Whether it’s soccer practice or a game of catch, these moments help kids grow stronger, physically and emotionally.

The National Youth Sports Strategy supports programs that help all kids get in the game, no matter their background or skill level. At Rutgers University, the Youth Sports Research Council develops information about the impact of physical activity and sports on children’s development. YSRC partners with organizations such as the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association to provide training and resources for coaches and parents. Programs, including the SAFETY Clinic Course (Sports Awareness for Educating Today’s Youth) help volunteer coaches create safe and positive sports environments for youth. 

So this May, let’s support this next generation of winners, on and off the field. Whether it’s volunteering to coach, enrolling your child in a new sport, or advocating for inclusive youth programs in your community, your involvement can make a difference.

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There were 128 kids entered in the 2025 Optimist US Team Race Nationals, many representing high profile “travel ball” teams led by prominent foreign coaches. It all seemed like a bit much, but that’s youth sports in the USA.

Coincidentally, the same edition of the Scuttlebutt newsletter included a report by Chris Caswell, originally published in 2018, in which he described youth sailing as “a world populated by helicopter parents and a sailing lifestyle best described as a ‘trophy culture’.” Like most everything, this has only escalated.

British yachting journalist Adrian Morgan wonders about the end game, particularly when there are dominant Olympic countries that are not emphasizing youth competition:

“If this soulless, joyless method sailing is not producing Olympic medalists or offshore sailors, instead encouraging kids to abandon sailing as fast as they can, why persist?

“Is it the parental bragging rights of a fancy RIB, or best dressed child, or most expensive professional coach? Is it perhaps pressure from coaches themselves? Whatever, it is not a method universally seen in Europe, and more akin to that adopted by the old Soviet Union.

“Or is it that America, whose genius is based on competition, combat, and hard work, cannot help but apply a ruthless ethos that produces world-dominating technologies to the gentle pastime of simply messing about in boats?

“Whatever. Quite clearly, this is not producing world-dominating sailors in the USA.”

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (May 20, 2025) – Leading into the 2025-26 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, the 53rd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe will open the week’s festivities on Saturday, January 3, 2026.

The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, a 1.5-mile march through Central Phoenix, will once again be nestled in the heart of Bowl Season. Held days after the Rate Bowl in downtown Phoenix, the Fiesta Bowl Parade will drum up excitement for the CFP Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8, with its traditional pageantry that attendees have grown to love for more than 50 years.

“Having the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe as a lead-in to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl elevates both events and invites the community to join in a celebration of the best time of the year – the college football postseason!” said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. “The Fiesta Bowl Parade is produced by our community, for our community and is made up of members from our community. The parade’s quality continues to elevate, with more enhancements to come, and we invite community groups, institutions, companies and citizens to take an active role as participants to create lifelong memories.”

 

Interested community groups and participants may apply for entry into this year’s Parade here, while marching bands should access their application here. Applications for all entries must be submitted by Friday, September 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MST.

Additionally, for those interested in supporting the parade or learning more about partnership opportunities, please reach out to Parade@fiestabowl.org.

“The Fiesta Bowl Parade has become the highlight of the year for Lerner & Rowe staff and volunteers! As a brand proudly rooted in Phoenix tradition, we love seeing how the Fiesta Sports Foundation brings the community together in such a fun and powerful way,” said Lerner & Rowe Co-Founder/Partner Kevin Rowe. “Every year, the team continues to raise the bar, delivering an event that’s more impressive, exciting and inspiring than the last. The natural synergies between Lerner & Rowe Gives Back and the Fiesta Sports Foundation are evident in our shared year-round dedication to uplifting Arizonans through impactful programs, community support and a passion for making a difference.”

Each year, more than 3,000 men, women, children and animals participate in the Fiesta Bowl Parade, one of Arizona’s most beloved holiday traditions, which is free of charge for all attendees. The Parade features larger-than-life balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, friendly animals, community groups and more.

Coronado High School claimed the award for top marching band in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl Parade, followed by Marcos De Niza High School and Vista Grande High School. Other 2024 award winners included Superior Dance Company (Best Costume Design), Corona del Sol Steel Band (Best Musical Performance Award) and Ballet Folklorico De Santa Maria (Crowd Favorite Award).

The six 2024 award winners were among the engaging entries that continue to elevate the viewing experience along the Fiesta Bowl Parade route. Fans will also continue to see new floats and balloons this season that will create unforgettable memories for even the most veteran parade attendees.

For those unable to enjoy the 2025-26 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe in person, the Parade will be broadcast live on Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports Network and across its digital platforms.

This year’s Grand Marshal and special guests will be announced in the fall. Anthony Robles, former Arizona State University wrestler and 2011 NCAA Wrestling Champion, served as Grand Marshal in 2024. He joined an esteemed list of past Grand Marshals that includes Charles Barkley, Jerry Colangelo, Alice Cooper, Richard Jefferson, Randy Johnson, Al McCoy, Jake Plummer, Kerri Strug, Diana Taurasi and more.

For more information about the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe and the application process, please visit www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org/Parade.

Ticket deposits for the CFP Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and Rate Bowl – Bowl Season’s only Big 12 vs. Big Ten matchup – can be placed by visiting www.FiestaBowl.org/tickets or contacting the ticket office at tickets@fiestabowl.org.

ABOUT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION

Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, including the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) -Explore a variety of activities and fun programs for all ages.

As the weather continues to warm up it’s the perfect time to discover all that the City of Myrtle Beach Parks, Recreation, & Sports Tourism has to offer.

Come along as we visit Crabtree Memorial Gym, which features facilities for basketball, racquetball, and cardio area, plus a playground.

From youth programs and camps to fitness classes, youth sports, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Grand Strand Today airs weekdays at 11 am on WMBF News.

Copyright 2025 WMBF. All rights reserved.

After already watching a pair of alumnae earn their Golden Ticket to the AUSL College Draft, and an April filled with the first-ever Little League Softball® Unlimited events, Little League® is set for yet another exciting Summer of Softball in 2025, bringing the spotlight to the incredible Girls with Game® from all around the world.   

“The spotlight on the game of softball has never been stronger, but we are only cracking the surface on bringing the game to girls all around the world,” said Ashlea Miller, Little League Director of Softball Development. “As we gear up for another exciting Summer of Softball, we hope that this celebration of the game from the grassroots level to the professional stage helps inspire the next generation of Girls with Game to grab a glove and head out to their local field to learn what the Little League experience is all about.”  

Since 2018, Little League has seen about an 8% growth in its softball program, which today welcomes more than 25,000 softball teams and 300,000 participants in more than 25 countries around the world.

“As the world’s most trusted youth sports organization, we have continued to strengthen our commitment to female participation within our program and support of the game of softball all around the world,” said Pat Wilson, Little League President and CEO. “The growth we have seen in our softball program these past few years only begins to show how important this game is for young girls and we are dedicated to providing the resources and opportunities to give our softball players an experience unlike any other.”  

As the spotlight continues to shine on softball, check out just some of the key moments to watch out for this summer:  

Alumnae Competing at the WCWS 

Every year, a group of Little League graduates earn their way to Oklahoma City to compete in the Women’s College World Series (WCWS), representing the best in the game across NCAA Division I Softball for a chance to take home the championship trophy. With 10 graduates having already played in both the Little League Softball World Series and the WCWS over the years, and the 64-team Division I tournament officially underway, be sure to check back at LittleLeague.org in the coming weeks to find out what graduates will make the trip to the 2025 WCWS.  

AUSL Alumnae Kicking Off Inaugural Season 

Following an exciting “This is Legendary” Preseason Tour, the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) officially kicks off on June 7 with an all-star lineup of Little League alumnae taking the field, including a pair who competed at the Little League Softball World Series:  

• Aleshia Ocasio (Blaze) – Conway LL (Orlando, Fla.) 

• Aliyah Andrews (Blaze) – Oldsmar (Fla.) LL 

• Carley Hoover (Blaze) – South Simpsonville LL (Clemson, S.C.) – 2008 LLSWS Champion 

• Caroline Jacobsen (Talons) – Chaires-Capitola LL (Tallahassee, Fla.) 

• Devyn Netz (Bandits) – Sierra Madre (Calif.) LL 

• Hannah Flippen (Talons) – Sweetwater Valley LL (Bonita, Calif.) 

• Jessi Warren (Volts) – Citrus Park LL (Tampa, Fla.) 

• Lexi Kilfoyl (Bandits) – Land O’Lakes (Fla.) LL 

• Mariah Lopez (Talons) – Santa Rita LL (Tucson, Ariz.) 

• Mia Davidson (Bandits) – Orange County LL (Hillsborough, N.C.) 

• Morgan Zerkle (Bandits) – Ona-Milton (W.V.) LL 

• Rachel Garcia (Volts) – California District 51 LL (Lancaster, Calif.) 

• Raelin Chaffin (Talons) – Bossier LL (Bossier City, La.) – 2014 LLSWS 

In addition to those competing on the field, Little League Hall of Excellence Enshrinees, Cat Osterman (2016) and Jenny Dalton-Hill (2022), are set as two of the four new General Managers while former Little Leaguers® Stacey Nuveman-Deniz and Kelly Kretschman will also play a key role in the new league, serving as two of the four Head Coaches. Learn more about the AUSL, including the full schedule, at TheAUSL.com.  

LLWS™ First-Round Pairings 

Be sure to tune in to YouTube.com/LittleLeague and LittleLeague.org during National Little League Week (June 9-15) as the first-round matchups of the 2025 Little League Softball World Series, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, are set to be announced via random drawing on Wednesday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. ET. To learn more about this year’s event, including visitor information and how to book your trip to experience the Region Tournaments or any of the Little League, Junior League, or Senior League Softball World Series, check out LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.  

Record Softball Broadcast Schedule 

Starting with a Little League Softball West Region matchup between Utah and Northern California on Saturday, July 19, at Noon ET on ESPN+, there will be a total of 129 softball games broadcast on ESPN Platforms over the course of five weeks in 2025. As part of that action-packed schedule also includes a record number 27 softball games set to air on linear networks, featuring all seven U.S. Region Championship games as well as 13 of the 22 games at the LLSWS, including the championship game on ABC for the third-consecutive year.  

AUSL Pro Games at the LLSWS 

The Summer of Softball is planning to take over ESPN2 on Wednesday, August 6, with a pair of Little League Softball World Series games set to kick off the day (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) before transitioning to the pros as AUSL heads to Greenville, North Carolina, for the 2025 AUSL Pro Games at the LLSWS, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, with a doubleheader in front of the LLSWS participants and their families.   

Similar to previous years, the pro softball players will make the most out of their time at the LLSWS, spending the day on Tuesday, August 5, interacting with the LLSWS participants at Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park to help build the bridge between Little Leaguers and their role models.  

Girls with Game Experience 

The Summer of Softball will carry into the fall as for the fourth-straight year, collegiate softball will also be returning to the home of the Little League Baseball® World Series with the 2025 Little League® Girls with Game® Experience, set to be held at Howard J. Lamade Stadium on October 4, 2025. While the four participating NCAA Division I Softball teams will be announced later this summer, registration for the morning’s instructional softball clinic is officially open. 

In addition to everything outlined above, Little League will also join the world in celebration of World Softball Day on June 13. To learn more about the Little League Softball program, including information on how to start up a league in your own community, visit LittleLeague.org/Softball.  

ATLANTA, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Starting today, fans of Pure Athlete, the rising youth sports podcast and platform, can purchase access to PA+, a premium content platform designed to help families support their young athletes from the first game to the next big milestone. For a low, monthly fee, parents, coaches and young athletes will be granted exclusive access to an expansive, growing library of 1000+ expert-led, video-based micro-lessons tailored to help young athletes achieve their sports goals in a healthy way.

The platform was created in response to overwhelming demand from Pure Athlete’s audience of passionate sports parents and coaches. Hosts Jeff Francoeur, a former MLB outfielder; Britt Lee, an author and sports parent advocate; and Brad Williams, a former athletic director, launched PA+ to provide deeper, more personalized support for families looking to help their young athletes thrive, especially amidst today’s complex youth sports culture.

“Today’s youth sports world is so much more challenging for families than when I was growing up,” said Jeff Francoeur, who played 12 years in Major League Baseball and is now coaching and parenting his four young kids across multiple sports. “There’s so much more to athletic success than talent alone. Mental toughness, nutrition, burnout, specialization and attitude are some of the most pressing topics for sports families to navigate these days. PA+ was created to help families like ours navigate these issues, pursuing our kids’ sports goals in a healthy way.”

Launching as families gear up for summer sports, PA+ delivers fresh, new content every month, packaged by topic and by sport. PA+ also provides members with access to live forums where they can engage directly with topical experts, college coaches and the Pure Athlete hosts themselves. These interactive sessions allow families to ask questions, gain insights and connect with a community of peers on the same journey.

“Reflecting on the sports journeys my kids and I went on, I would have loved to have access to the information, guidance and inspiration that PA+ provides,” said Lee, whose four children participated in a range of sports, including one who played Division I college tennis. “I spent so much time looking for answers, insights and direction from a variety of sources. Now, parents can access specialized advice and incredibly helpful content on a single platform.”

By engaging with experts from organizations like Booster, D1 Training and Perfect Game, PA+ covers key topics like mental performance, nutrition and strength training, while also offering sport-specific guidance in baseball, volleyball, tennis, soccer and many more, making it the go-to playbook for youth sports.

“One of the biggest challenges of parenting an athlete is figuring out which organizations, coaches, and resources genuinely support a healthy approach to development and which ones just aren’t worth the time,” Williams said. “A core part of Pure Athlete’s mission is to shine a spotlight on organizations that genuinely prioritize the overall well-being and development of young athletes on and off the field.”

PA+ is now available at pureathlete.com. To learn more about Pure Athlete and its mission or to listen to an episode, visit us on our website, on social media or podcast platforms.

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ABOUT PURE ATHLETE

Pure Athlete is a branded content platform and podcast hosted by Jeff Francoeur, Britt Lee and Brad Williams that empowers parents, coaches and the next generation of athletes to navigate the complex culture of youth sports. During our episodes, we connect with some of sports’ most iconic figures and topical experts like Chipper Jones, Kerri Walsh, Dabo Swinney, Kirk Herbstreit, Mallory Pugh Swanson and more, tapping into their shared wisdom. Alongside sports legends and current athletes, Pure Athlete discusses specific ways to help create a more meaningful youth sports experience for the next generation of athletes. Follow Pure Athlete on Instagram and YouTube: @PureAthleteInc. Listen to the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can learn more about the Pure Athlete podcast and upcoming guests at PureAthlete.com.

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Halleigh Woods Pure Athlete pureathlete@seesparkgo.com

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