Latest news with #athletedevelopment
Forbes
7 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Unrivaled Bets Big On College Talent With Watkins, Fudd In NIL Class
MEDLEY, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 21: Napheesa Collier #24 of the Lunar Owls goes up for a shot against ... More Angel Reese #5 of Rose during the first half at Wayfair Arena on February 21, 2025 in Medley, Florida. (Photo by) Unrivaled, in partnership with Samsung, has signed 14 of the most prominent women's college basketball players to NIL deals, launching one of the sport's most ambitious athlete development efforts to date. The full roster includes: JuJu Watkins (USC) Azzi Fudd (UConn) Lauren Betts (UCLA) Sienna Betts (UCLA) Madison Booker (Texas) Audi Crooks (Iowa State) MiLaysia Fulwiley (LSU) Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame) Flau'jae Johnson (LSU) Ta'Niya Latson (South Carolina) Olivia Miles (TCU) Kiki Rice (UCLA) Sarah Strong (UConn) Syla Swords (Michigan) This class brings with it 32 NCAA Tournament appearances, 25 Sweet 16s, 14 Elite Eights, 10 Final Fours, and four national championships, along with a history of success on the international stage with USA and Canada Basketball. These athletes are already household names in college sports and will likely shape the direction of the game for years to come. 'Investing in elite women's basketball talent is central to our mission,' said Luke Cooper, President of Basketball Operations. 'This is about locking in the best players early and giving them the resources, platform, and support to grow with us.' Unrivaled Brings A New Model For Women's Basketball MEDLEY, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Rose BC members lift the championship trophy after defeating Vinyl BC in ... More the inaugural season of Unrivaled at Wayfair Arena on March 17, 2025 in Medley, Florida. (Photo by) Launched in 2023, Unrivaled was built to reimagine women's basketball. The league is player-led and structured around a short-form season designed to fit within the WNBA offseason, offering top-tier athletes a chance to earn, grow, and build their brands year-round. Co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, the league secured investment from high-profile backers including Alex Morgan, Chelsea Clinton, and Carmelo Anthony. Unlike traditional leagues that rely on centralized team structures, Unrivaled is designed to elevate players as individuals and entrepreneurs. That mission is reflected in this NIL class, which positions the league at the center of the women's basketball pipeline, years before these athletes reach the professional level. Unrivaled NIL Strategy Focused On Development NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 16: Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers are seen at 'Good Morning America' on ... More April 16, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by The Hapa Blonde/GC Images) The NIL agreements go beyond endorsement deals. The athletes will attend The Future is Unrivaled Summit, a multi-day event hosted at the league's headquarters in Miami. Programming includes on-court skill development, brand-building sessions, merchandise design, social media strategy, and group activities aimed at creating a sense of community and shared purpose. Samsung Galaxy, the league's presenting sponsor, will provide the mobile technology powering the summit, giving athletes access to advanced content creation tools and digital experiences. 'Samsung and Unrivaled are building the future of sports,' said Olga Suvorova, Vice President of Mobile eXperience Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. 'This summit isn't just about visibility. It's about opportunity, innovation, and opening new paths for athletes.' Unrivaled Strengthening Athlete Relationships BATON ROUGE, LA - MARCH 22: Flau'jae Johnson #4 of the LSU Tigers in action against the San Diego ... More State Aztecs during the First Round of the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 22, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Reagan Cotten/LSU/University Images via Getty Images) Unrivaled's model centers around long-term athlete alignment. Last December, the league announced NIL partnerships with Paige Bueckers and Flau'jae Johnson. JuJu Watkins, already an investor through the league's Series A funding round, now deepens her involvement as a participant in the NIL program. These multifaceted relationships reflect a shift in how modern athletes engage with leagues, not just as performers, but as stakeholders and business partners. By meeting these college athletes early in their careers, Unrivaled is establishing a foundation of trust and loyalty. It's a long game designed to ensure that the league becomes a natural next step in their professional journeys. Unrivaled Rising Demand Meets Smart Strategy LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 12: Southern California Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) is ... More introduced during a NCAA women's basketball game against the Cal State Northridge Matadors on November 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) The women's basketball landscape is changing fast. College stars like Watkins, Hidalgo, and Fudd are pulling millions of views on social media and drawing national attention. The 2024 NCAA Women's Final Four shattered viewership records, and WNBA attendance and ratings are rising steadily. Commercial partners, media companies, and fans are recognizing what many inside the sport have long known, the product is elite, and the market is ready. Unrivaled is capitalizing on this moment by aligning its growth with the talent that is driving the surge. By investing in future stars now, the league is not only building credibility but also setting up a direct pipeline from college to its own platform. This is a clear shift from the reactive, late-stage recruiting model most leagues rely on. It's proactive, personal, and deeply strategic. This latest NIL initiative cements Unrivaled as more than a league, it is becoming an incubator for elite talent and a brand built on athlete empowerment. The business case is strong. By offering more than court time, including content opportunities, revenue sharing, brand-building, and investment in players, Unrivaled is building a model that reflects the modern athlete's needs and aspirations.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Local hockey camp helps players succeed
The Farm Tough College Prospect Camp for roller hockey players was founded by Peter Dale, a six-time roller hockey world champion.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'There was no option': Scottsdale PhD warns against parents pushing their kids into sports
Just like there's no textbook on how to become a perfect father, there's no exact blueprint to follow when it comes to teaching, coaching and training your kids on how to become an accomplished athlete in his or her chosen sport – if that's what your son or daughter truly wants. 'The first important thing is just that they ensure this really is the kid's dream,' said Dr. Bettina Lehnert, a Harvard-trained psychologist who has been in private practice in Scottsdale since 1991. "I have certainly had people on my couch who come in years later when they're adults and talk about how their parents pressured them, or one or the other parents pressured them, because the parent is actually living out their own dream for the kid." 'That's obviously a danger because kids are eager to please their parents. They need to have the conversation with the kid and ask them, 'Is this really your dream? Don't do it for me; do it for you if that's what you enjoy.' We've all probably heard, seen or know about the gung-ho dad who was hellbent on turning little Johnny into an NFL quarterback, shaping tiny Tommy into a major league pitcher or pushing petite Pam into becoming an Olympic gymnast. Sometimes, it might work. Usually, it doesn't. Dr. Lehnert says it's important to give your children 'permission to not pursue that dream.' 'When I look back at my patients,' she said, 'they don't want to disappoint their parents, so sometimes they abandon themselves in that process and don't stand up for themselves because they are so motivated by getting their parents' approval. Kids are very vulnerable to that because kids haven't developed that internal sense of, 'I'm OK even without this approval.' 'That's a process that happens throughout human development, which is long and complex. It's a very powerful reinforcer that makes it feel impossible for kids, I think sometimes, to not do the thing they know their parents want them to do.' Read More: 'You can't want it more than your kid': How dads inspired 2 Arizona Cardinals rookies As an example, Lehnert mentioned a recent female patient who had been pushed into a sport she didn't love and didn't wish to pursue. 'But there was no option for her not to in her family, unfortunately,' Lehnert said. 'She was very talented in the sport, but she didn't enjoy it. … It's hard to imagine anyone being able to do that.' The best thing a parent can do to help a child or teenager who is interested in becoming successful in a sport of their own choice, Leinert says, is to provide quality and meaningful support and encouragement. Instead of pressuring their son or daughter, they should praise the effort and progress at each turn and be careful not to solely focus on the outcomes or the wins. 'It plants good seeds for self-esteem in that we have a sense of confidence in things that we're good at,' Lehnert said. 'We have a sense of contribution, and we have a sense of belonging. Being on a sports team provides those things in spades, especially if it's coming from a good, supportive place from the parent as opposed to the pressure." 'It's also important to keep the focus on allowing it to continue to be fun. If they're not enjoying it anymore, they're going to quit at some point, or they're not going to excel.' This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: There is a right and wrong way to raise a young, inspiring athlete
National Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
HELIOS Partners with NHL Rising Star Matthew Knies to Revolutionize Youth Sports Training
Article content Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. Article content PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — HELIOS, a leader in sports technology innovation, proudly announces a groundbreaking partnership with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies. This collaboration aims to redefine youth sports training, starting with ice hockey player development, by delivering performance data, personalized insights, and automated shift video to players and coaches. Article content 'HELIOS has completely changed the landscape for developing youth hockey players. I'm excited to work with HELIOS and drive the game forward.' -Matthew Knies As the youth sports industry evolves, with projections estimating a market size of $70 billion by 2030, the demand for individualized training solutions has never been higher. HELIOS stands at the forefront of this transformation, offering cutting-edge technologies that empower young athletes to reach their full potential. Article content Matthew Knies, known for his relentless work ethic and explosive approach to the game, embodies the synergy between athletic excellence and sports science. His partnership with HELIOS underscores a shared commitment to fostering the next generation of athletes through innovative training methodologies. Article content 'When I was younger there wasn't any way to track what I was doing. I always dreamed of having something like this,' Article content Knies said. Article content 'Now, HELIOS has completely changed the landscape for developing youth hockey players. I'm excited to work with HELIOS and drive the game forward.' Article content HELIOS' platform leverages cutting edge AI-wearable technology to provide objective insights on skating performance, enabling athletes and coaches to optimize training and development . This approach not only enhances performance but also prioritizes injury prevention and individualized athlete development. Article content 'Matthew's development pathway aligns perfectly with our mission,' Article content stated Bill Near, CEO of HELIOS. Article content 'Together, we're setting a new standard for how young athletes train and grow in their respective sports.' Article content About HELIOS Article content HELIOS is the leading wearable technology and data platform for ice hockey, providing coaches, players, and parents with unmatched insight into on-ice performance. Trusted across programs at all levels, from elite youth to professional, HELIOS is redefining how development is measured and achieved. Article content Matthew Knies is a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs and one of the NHL's most promising young players. A standout in the USHL and at the University of Minnesota, he earned All-American honors and helped Team USA win gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Off the ice, Knies is dedicated to helping young athletes train smarter and reach their potential. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media: Article content Article content Article content Article content
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
How Gretchen Walsh's Former Coach Builds Mental Strength In Swimmers
With Gretchen Walsh breaking another world record at the 2025 TYR Pro Swim Series in Fort Lauderdale—hearing the crowd cheer, seeing the new time and trying to catch her breath as the realization sets in that she is the first woman to ever break 55 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly—it's hard not to wonder what it truly took for her to get to that moment, not just physically, but mentally. And what about her sister, Olympic swimmer Alex Walsh? How did they handle pressure, bounce back from setbacks and sustain their mental toughness throughout their years as club swimmers? With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, it's a good time to take a closer look at what it takes mentally to go from a young club swimmer to an elite-level athlete. In conversation with Doug Wharam, former coach of both Gretchen and Alex at the Nashville Aquatic Club (NAC), we explore what that mental journey has looked like for swimmers at NAC. Coach Doug Wharam has worked with dozens of swimmers throughout his career. He began coaching Gretchen and Alex Walsh—who both went on to swim for the University of Virginia—when they were around 12 or 13 years old and continued guiding them through their high school years. He saw both sisters develop in different ways and, in an interview, shared his approach to supporting athletes' development, emphasizing the importance of being intentional as a coach while remaining flexible. 'We are really intentional about a lot of the things that happen with athletes like at a younger age—both in terms of how often we offer practice, how often we ask them to be at practice, how much learning versus swimming they're doing within the context of each practice,' Wharam explained. At NAC, the club's structure is designed so swimmers moved through one group at a time rather than being split into several. He went on to say that, in his experience, being intentional about what each level looks like in the program and allowing kids to feel successful in their current group—while also preparing them to move up to the next—helps build their confidence as they progress. 'Managing their confidence is key for ones who start really young,' he added. Wharam also explained that a swimmer's progression isn't always linear. Some swimmers progress quickly, while others take more time, based on personal readiness, family circumstances and other factors. "I've always found it really helpful to be flexible and try to meet the kids and the families kind of where they are," Wharam explained. And what about the Walsh sisters? According to Wharam, 'The progress in their confidence, I would say, was intentional.' During high school, both sisters worked with a confidence coach. While 'burnout' is a common term in sports, including swimming, Wharam doesn't like using the word. 'If we're talking about the mental side of burnout—like what is it? It's inappropriate goals at inappropriate times,' he said. At NAC, coaches take a proactive approach, often starting with a conversation with the swimmer and their family to realign expectations. Are the goals realistic for their age, training level and circumstances? 'We talk to the parents, and we make sure that the goals they have are appropriate given their circumstances, given their background, given where we are in a season, given, you know, the constraints of the training group, all of those things,' Wharam explained. 'Oftentimes it's about matching their goals up with kind of where they are in that process.' At NAC, swimmers are encouraged to try different events or strokes rather than focusing solely on one stroke at a young age, which helps prevent burnout. Wharam emphasized that kids and parents often became too focused on specific events early on. While it isn't anyone's fault, part of NAC's philosophy is making sure athletes develop all four strokes as they progress through the levels and remain open to change as they grow. Alex Walsh's own story is a clear example. Between the ages of 12 and 14, she was strong in the 200 backstroke. But around age 14 or 15, she began to lose interest in the event. Wharam recalled sitting down with her to discuss a shift in focus. With strong performances in breaststroke and a solid foundation in freestyle and butterfly, the medley seemed like a better fit at the time, and the change worked. Alex found a new passion in the IM and continued to thrive in the event at the highest level. Wharam believes mental resilience can be taught. Some athletes thrive in practice but struggle under pressure in competition. Helping swimmers recognize and work through these challenges is part of the process, while putting them into situations where they can be successful. Whether the situation leads to success or not, Wharam said it is intentional on the coach's part at NAC. 'Or if they're not being successful, it's intentional,' he said. 'You know, especially with those level athletes, like, they have to kind of be able to stretch competitively. You can't go to the Olympics—well, you can—there are rare cases of it, but it's much easier to work your way to that level. So, you go to meets where everybody's kind of beyond you, and you get a chance to kind of see what that looks like.' 'But yeah, I think everybody has to work on it at that level. And I think it is definitely something that they can get better at, whether that's being mentally resilient, mentally tough or even just confident.' Resilience also comes from helping athletes understand what is in their control. If a swimmer struggles to drop time, coaches often bring the focus back to training habits and daily effort. This shift reinforces accountability and helps athletes regain a sense of control, rather than feeling stuck or defeated. Even the most talented swimmers face periods of plateau or disappointment. For Coach Wharam, setbacks are opportunities to refocus. 'So, for us, you know, oftentimes, if a kid's not going to make progress in that season—or even across multiple seasons—we see that as a result of something happening in practice,' he explained. At NAC, coaches work with athletes to identify specific areas for improvement. This approach helps shift the focus from outcome to process. 'It's like one of those life skills, right? That you hope people learn from swimming. All of this on some level is within your control—like your performance is within your control—and if you take ownership of that, work on that, and you work on it day in and day out, the end of that we're confident that you will find success on some level for you, and that goes for every level of our team.' Wharam acknowledged that athletes hit rough patches—what matters is how they respond. 'I mean, it does happen, right, where kids get into bumpy spots. You know, we saw that with Gretchen in the hundred freestyle. We shifted gears on her, and she swam backstroke and she swam butterfly, you know, at the end of those summers. And obviously has had incredible success, right, in the butterfly as she's gone on to UVA. So yeah, so I think that does happen. But it's not anything that I feel like the kids in our program anyway don't feel like they can get a handle on.' While Wharam avoids the word 'burnout,' he acknowledged both Gretchen and Alex had moments when they needed a break, especially due to a packed schedule during high school years. Parental involvement plays a crucial role. Because coaches don't see swimmers outside of practice, Wharam relies on open communication with families to help gauge when breaks are needed. 'And so, the interaction that we can have with the parents and kind of take a cue from them in terms of, hey, like, it sounds like everybody needs like three or four days off this circle this weekend and like go ahead and do that,' he said. Reflecting on what he learned from coaching both athletes, Wharam pointed to patience and expectation management as key lessons. With Alex, he learned to value steady, consistent progress over time. With Gretchen, the lesson was different. She showed early signs of what she was capable of, but because she competed in sprint events, the path to international success took longer. When she qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2016 as the youngest swimmer there, she told Wharam she was going to make the team. Wharam redirected her: 'I remember saying to her, 'I'm so excited for you, but let's circle Tokyo for that. Let's go to trials, have fun, and learn what that's all about.' Because she was so far out, and she didn't yet have the experience to know she had just sneaked into trials, and it would take years and years of work to get to the next level.' So, with Gretchen, Wharam learned how to manage her expectations. Wharam's philosophy emphasizes that long-term success in swimming isn't just about performance at NAC—it is about helping each athlete grow with confidence, balance and perspective. Supporting mental health is a crucial part of that growth. USA Swimming also recognizes this and expanded its services to support athlete wellness at every level. In February, USA Swimming hired Emily Klueh, a licensed mental health and sport performance therapist and National Team alum, as its first Manager of Mental Health and Emotional Wellness. Klueh provides direct care, educational resources, and helps connect swimmers with the right practitioners as part of USA Swimming's growing focus on athlete wellness.
