Youth Sports Mastery launches on DPRS Media Network

Youth Sports Mastery, sponsored by the National Academy of Athletics, is airing on The Daily Parks & Rec Show to help coaches, parents, educators and recreation leaders improve youth sports. The live program leans on veteran hosts and guests to address access, coaching standards and athlete development.

Why it matters: - Youth sports outcomes are shaped by the adults running practices, games and programs. - The show aims to give coaches, parents, educators and recreation professionals practical ideas to create more inclusive, development-focused sports experiences. - The format puts education and shared experience at the center of the youth sports conversation.

What happened: - Youth Sports Mastery launched on The Daily Parks & Rec Show / DPRS Media Network. - The show is sponsored by the National Academy of Athletics. - Aaron Locks, Dr. Mike Herbert, Jon Torine and Ray Lokar co-host the program. - The show focuses on challenges in youth sports and ways adults can improve the experience for kids. - The program airs live Monday through Friday at 1 p.m. Pacific / 4 p.m. Eastern. - Viewers can watch live or catch replays on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and X. - Episodes are also available on Spotify. - The full show information is available through Youth Sports Mastery and The Daily Parks & Rec Show’s YouTube channel.

The details: - Aaron Locks said the show gives him a chance to sit down with experienced guests, ask hard questions and challenge how adults think about the youth sports experience. - The show’s tagline is “Real Experience. Real Conversations. Real Solutions.” - Core topics include access and inclusion, coaching standards, athlete development, family support and sports as a way to build confidence, character and leadership. - Aaron Locks is founder and CEO of the National Academy of Athletics and has more than 40 years of experience as a coach, camp director, administrator, collegiate basketball official and youth sports leader. - Dr. Mike Herbert has more than 20 years of experience in education and athletics, with a focus on helping adults become better teachers and leaders. - Jon Torine is a former NFL strength and conditioning coach and Super Bowl champion who applies professional sports experience to youth coaching. - Ray Lokar is a coach, educator, author and speaker with more than 40 years of experience using sports to teach life skills. - The program brings together coaches, educators, researchers, administrators, athletes and parents for conversations about improving youth sports. - Carleigh Boling is listed as the National Academy of Athletics contact. - The National Academy of Athletics maintains social accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and X.

Between the lines: - The launch reflects growing pressure on youth sports programs to do more than produce wins. - The show’s emphasis on adult behavior suggests the biggest changes may come from coaching culture, parent involvement and program design, not just athlete talent. - Putting a former NFL coach alongside educators and youth sports leaders broadens the appeal beyond traditional sports media.

What's next: - Youth Sports Mastery will continue with weekday live episodes and on-demand replays. - The show is positioned to add more guests from across the sports community as it builds out its conversation format. - The National Academy of Athletics is likely to use the program to extend its education-focused youth sports mission.

The bottom line: - Youth Sports Mastery is trying to reframe youth sports as a leadership and development issue, not just a competition issue.