Gilbert Town Council voted Tuesday to move forward with three priority Parks Department projects tied to the town’s quality-of-life program. 

Council approved contracts for the Freestone Park pickleball complex, the Freestone Park splash pad and Desert Sky Park Phase 2 despite objections raised by Councilmember Jim Torgeson. 

Torgeson questioned the town’s prioritization of pickleball courts and a splash pad while youth sports fields remain unmet, saying during the discussion that he has pushed for baseball and soccer fields for several years. 

Published on December 18th, 2025

It was in the 1980s when youth sailing was modeled after other youth sports, and this paved the way for age-based boats and focused coaching. It also created a bubble of youth events which impacted the transition into adult sailing.

The shift increased the focus on improvement while limiting exposure to other sailing opportunities, and for a lot of kids, they never found the fun in the sport. This was not a unique problem to sailing, and is the basis for why John O’Sullivan founded the Changing the Game Project.

He wanted to put the ‘play’ back in ‘play ball’ and recently testified before the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

The hearing was titled “The Crisis in American Youth Sports and Its Cost to Our Future.” And that title says everything. This conversation was about burnout. Dropout. Rising costs. Pressure. And the millions of kids walking away from sports that were supposed to help them grow.

John shared what has been seen for years through coaches, parents, and athletes across every level of sport. When competition outweighs connection, kids leave. When adults lose perspective, kids pay the price.

Youth sports should be a place where children build confidence, character, and community. Instead, too many environments are pushing kids out before they ever get the chance to fall in love with the game.

This update from Changing the Game Project was posted on Facebook which prompted significant commentary.

Tags: Changing The Game Project, growing the sport, John O’Sullivan, Youth Sailing

Key Takeaways

• The NBA and YMCA are launching a year-long collaboration to support programming for the 6 million youth the YMCA serves annually in the U.S., including facility renovations across the country
• World Basketball Day on Dec. 21 marks both the third annual celebration and the YMCA’s 175th anniversary, commemorating where Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891
• Basketball is now the fastest-growing sport globally and the No. 2 sport worldwide, with the NBA’s digital channels reaching hundreds of millions of fans
• The celebration includes participation from FIBA, USA Basketball, NCAA, Naismith Hall of Fame, and 18 NBA teams hosting events and activations
• Africa-based programming will reach more than 600 coaches across 13 countries through 19 coaching clinics led by participants in the Africa Coaches Program

Multi-Organization Coalition Backs Third Annual Celebration

World Basketball Day returns Dec. 21 with backing from the NBA, International Basketball Federation (FIBA), USA Basketball, NCAA, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA), and National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). The United Nations established the annual observance in 2023, scheduling it for the date Dr. James Naismith introduced basketball at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891.

The NBA’s social and digital media channels will feature player testimonials about World Basketball Day’s significance, alongside highlights of global activations. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA and NBA Basketball School programs, which reach tens of millions of youth and coaches annually, will access a playbook with exclusive training and education content developed in collaboration with local federations and partners.

YMCA Partnership Extends Historic Basketball Relationship

The NBA and YMCA are formalizing an extension of their relationship through year-long youth basketball and community programming. The collaboration addresses the YMCA’s current reach of 6 million youth annually in the United States and will include renovations of YMCA facilities nationwide. This year’s World Basketball Day carries added significance as the YMCA marks its 175th anniversary.

On Dec. 13, the Gateway Region YMCA in St. Louis, which NBA champion Jayson Tatum attended as a child, hosted a youth basketball clinic and announced renovations supported by NBA Cares and The Jayson Tatum Foundation. On World Basketball Day itself, former NBA player Taj Gibson will lead a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA clinic in New York City for 200 youth from the YMCA of Greater New York. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will also host a clinic in Springfield for local YMCA youth, led by former NBA player Michael Carter-Williams.

“The YMCA and the NBA share a long-standing belief in the power of sport to build community,” said Suzanne McCormick, President and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “This collaboration allows us to broaden our collective reach and ensure that the benefits of youth sports are felt in every community we serve.”

Domestic and International Programming Spans Multiple Formats

Eighteen NBA teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards, will host events and activities in their arenas and local markets.

The NBA provided 150 Wilson basketballs to students across New York City through a collaboration with New York Cares. The WNBA will highlight 21 ways to celebrate World Basketball Day on its social channels, while the NBA G League incorporates the celebration into its Winter Showcase in Orlando. The NBA 2K League will feature World Basketball Day content during Tournament 2 Finals between the Wizards and Spurs, livestreaming on Twitch from District E, the Wizards’ esports venue.

International programming includes 19 coaches from the Africa Coaches Program conducting clinics in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Gabon, Libya, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tunisia, and Senegal. These clinics will reach more than 600 coaches across the continent. FIBA will announce inductees to its Hall of Fame Class of 2026 on World Basketball Day.

Local basketball players and content creators from Australia, Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines will appear in World Basketball Day content across the NBA’s localized channels. NBA Stores in the Philippines will host scavenger hunts with prizes and discounts, while fans purchasing official merchandise will receive complimentary World Basketball Day T-shirts while supplies last.

Connecting Youth Sports Infrastructure to Global Growth

The NBA-YMCA partnership addresses facility access at a time when basketball continues expanding globally. Commissioner Adam Silver noted the celebration’s special meaning this year: “We are thrilled to join our many friends in the basketball community to celebrate the game’s impact and influence around the world.”

The collaboration model pairs established youth-serving infrastructure with professional league resources and expertise. YMCA facilities serve as community anchors in thousands of locations, while the NBA brings programming content, facility investment, and visibility through its digital reach. The facility renovation component provides tangible upgrades to spaces where youth already participate.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasized the access dimension: “We are dedicated to opening more doors, expanding access, visibility and opportunity so that girls around the globe can experience the joy and possibility that basketball creates.”

Strategic Implications for Youth Basketball Stakeholders

World Basketball Day’s structure offers a model for how professional leagues, nonprofits, and international federations can coordinate around a single activation date. The Dec. 21 timing leverages basketball’s invention anniversary for both nostalgia and unity messaging, while the UN designation provides institutional credibility.

For youth sports operators, the programming approach demonstrates how content libraries and playbooks can extend reach beyond direct program delivery. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA model of providing training resources to local organizations allows scaled impact without requiring proportional staff expansion.

The Africa Coaches Program’s 19-clinic deployment across 13 countries shows investment in coach development as a multiplier strategy. Training 600 coaches creates ongoing capacity rather than one-time participant experiences. Basketball Africa League President Amadou Gallo Fall noted the approach “amplifies knowledge, strengthens local ecosystems, and accelerates the growth of African basketball.”

The YMCA partnership adds another data point to the trend of professional leagues formalizing relationships with established youth organizations rather than building entirely parallel infrastructure. The renovation component addresses facility quality, a persistent challenge in community youth sports.

via: NBA

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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
• NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and compliance
• 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
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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.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Instead of practicing serves and spikes, Sanford Sports Academy volleyball players spent their night wrapping gifts, making blankets, and giving back to the Sioux Falls community.

The event focused less on competition and more on service, bringing together athletes, families, and coaches for a night of holiday giving.

Mark McCloskey, director of Sanford Sports Volleyball Academy, said the goal of the program went beyond building strong athletes.

“We want great volleyball players, but it’s more important for us to have great people and a lot of them are really blessed to be here as we all are and happy to help folks that maybe need a little bit of help,” McCloskey said.

The giving effort began as a small act of support but grew into a lasting tradition within the program.

“We had one of our coaches, their family started this event kind of in a small way to recognize some of their family, and they needed some help, so we kind of stepped in, and we have a lot of hands that can help, and we’ve been going ever since,” McCloskey said.

That coach was Alyssa Chambers, who said the event carried both purpose and personal meaning. The night continued the work started by her family through an effort known as the Thomas Club.

“They called it Thomas Club, and they would bring food, and the clients and staff would ‘shop’ for families, and then they would go out and deliver the meals. So when my dad passed away 7 years ago, we were trying to think about how to keep this going, and we’re like, ‘I’m coaching here, I have manpower, I have a ton of teams and coaches,’ and so we kind of decided to take it on, and it stuck,” Chambers said. “I think this is year 9 or 10 that this has been going on.”

For Chambers, the impact went beyond donations.

“For me, I would just say it’s a really good reminder of who my dad was and who he is, and it just reminds me of him, and so just to be able to see people do this in honor of someone they don’t know is really special,” she said.

Parents and volunteers said the night showed how much the community could accomplish when working together.

“It’s kind of fun to see it in one place, where you can see all of the impact and everybody together making the difference and then see it go out the door to go into action,” said Suzann Kluever, a parent, coach, and volunteer.

For the athletes, the experience reinforced the values of the program.

“I think it is so important because it kind of just shows our thankfulness and our gratitude towards our community and allows us to be better people and shows what our program is actually about,” said player Liliana Rolon.

The event served as a reminder that while the teams compete together on the court, their biggest impact can come from giving back as a community.

Copyright 2025 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.

Every business has a story, and Mieka Schambach claims B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena is theirs — “a family adventure brought to life by passion, creativity, and a love for fun.” The first indoor dart battle arena is located at 6709 Maynardville Highway, 37918.

Mieka holds a business degree from King University in Bristol, TN, and has worked in general surgery administration for over a decade. She says the experience taught her how to manage operations, lead teams, and provide top-notch service — skills she now uses in running B&B.

She and her husband wanted more than just a business venture; they wanted to create a space where families could unplug, play, and make memories together.

Mieka says her husband Devon brought the hobby side of B&B to life. His knowledge of high-FPS play and competitive foam-dart gaming helped shape the arena into an exciting space for both casual players and serious enthusiasts. (High FPS- means Feet per second, which is how fast a dart is going.)

Mieka says, “B&B is more than an entertainment venue; it’s a reflection of our dream and commitment to the community. We love creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect, play, and support one another.”

B & B hosts school fundraisers, sponsors youth sports events, and partners with local nonprofits like Lift East TN and the Rocky Top Veterans Foundation.

Mieka reflects, “Our goal has always been to create a space where everyone can have fun, bond, and make memories,” we say. “Seeing families, kids, and teams enjoying themselves reminds us every day why we started B&B.”

In case they need another reminder of their “why” for creating the space, their two kids, Caidyn and Samara, are part of the heartbeat of the business, inspiring the family-friendly energy that fills every corner of the arena.

B & B now has Youth Sports Party Packages that are live.  See the website here.

Winter break hours from December 19, 2025, to January 4, 2026.

Blitzfire Overdrive, on Saturday, January 31, 2026, 4-10 p.m., is the premier competitive foam dart event held four times a year.

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A San Diego man who adopted false identities in an attempt to solicit sexually explicit material from a Florida boy was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison.

Eric Jacob Layton, who also faces charges in San Diego related to multiple alleged underage victims, was sentenced Wednesday morning in federal court in the Southern District of Florida for trying to solicit a young amateur athlete who was 15 years old at the time.

Layton was arrested in 2023 at his University City home on allegations of posing as a doctor, sports reporter, massage therapist and youth sports modeling agent in order to obtain explicit photographs from minors and/or arrange in-person meetings, authorities said.

The FBI said Layton primarily targeted young athletes and that he reached out to the Florida boy via social media and direct calls.

Two of his online personas were a sports massage therapist named Travis Parkin and sports physician named Dr. Alexis Iniesta.

Layton pleaded guilty in August to a count of attempted enticement of a minor in the Florida case, first reported to the Plantation Police Department in Broward County. He pleaded not guilty in 2023 to the San Diego charges, which include felony counts of lewd acts on a child and contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline also received a report regarding the Florida case.

According to court documents, Layton initially claimed to be a writer for a sports publication who wanted to interview the boy, then later posed as a physician and asked a series of questions that he claimed were necessary for participation in his sport.

Many of the questions were explicit in nature, according to a factual proffer statement filed in connection with his plea agreement, which states Layton also sought pictures of the boy’s genitals that he claimed “were required to determine the minor victim’s physical development.”

City News Service contributed to this report.