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Apr 27, 2022 • 5 min read

10 Things To Consider Before Signing Your Athlete Up For A Travel Team

• Sports Parents

Your child made the travel team, congratulations! Although as a parent you are excited that your child’s hard work has paid off, you have some questions about whether or not signing up for a travel team will be the best decision. Travel teams and recreational teams are very different. Recreational is more about fostering participation whereas travel teams typically require tryouts, fees, and travel.

So, how do you know if a travel team will be the right fit for your child? Here are 10 things to consider before signing your kid.

What does your child want?

It has to come from the youth athlete. Travel teams require more time commitment than other teams, so it is important that your child wants to be part of this kind of environment. Make sure the interest and excitement is coming from the kid and not you. It can be tempting as a parent to get excited that your child made the team, but make sure you are listening to their needs and wants. If they are passionate about playing the sport at a new level, go for it. If they are hesitant, ask more questions and make sure they are fully committed before signing up.

Does it work with your schedule?

Travel teams require, well, travel. So before signing your child up for the team make sure you can make it work. Lots of players on travel teams are part of carpools, so before signing up figure out the travel logistics. If you can’t bring your child yourself, no problem, but look into coordinating with other families to make sure it’s possible.

Most travel teams have either one or a couple facilities that they host practices and games at. Do the facilities make you as a parent comfortable and proud? Are the facilities safe ? Take into account travel time to get to the facilities, the up keep of the locations, and the safety measures taken to ensure that all of the athletes well-beings are at the forefront.

Does the travel team’s mission statement and goals match yours?

Most travel teams have mission statements  and clear program goals stated on their website and social media. Make sure that as a parent you feel aligned with their goals and purpose as a club. The last thing you want to do is sign up for something that you thought was fostering development and fun, but ended up being all about performance and unequal playing time. Before you sign up, make sure you feel like you understand and also your child understands the program’s goals. If you have questions, don’t hold back!

If this is your child’s first travel team it may also be their first time with a coach that isn’t a parent. Get to know the coach, study their background, and maybe do a trial practice to make sure your child clicks with the coaching style. Even though your child will likely come across many different coaches and styles throughout their life, that first travel coach is really important. That coach will set the foundation for their love of the sport and how they receive feedback moving forward. Be choosey, research, and make sure your child can develop and have fun under that coach’s leadership.

Can you afford it? Travel teams typically come with higher costs than recreational teams. Financially can you make it work? If not, does the team offer scholarships?

Team dynamic

How does the team seem to get along? One of the beautiful things about sports is that it brings together a bunch of individuals and finds a way to connect them through the game. As a parent, make sure your child feels supported to grow and learn with the travel team. How did your child feel after tryouts with the team? If your child got along with the other kids, that’s a great sign. If your child didn’t feel supported nor enjoyed their time during tryouts look into why. It’s important that whatever team your child plays on the team dynamic is a positive one and supports growth and fosters a lot of fun.

Clear pathway

Most travel teams have several teams within their programs. Since travel is a commitment and includes more practices and games, you want to make sure the investment is worth it. Does the club have a clear pathway? This means that after this season is there a team in the next age group, is the structure of the club supportive of players getting older and helping them achieve opportunities to make their high school teams and even college one day. It’s always a good sign if the club has a clear plan for its players, so take that as a positive if the club has a clear plan.

One of the best ways to determine if a travel team or program is good is by asking other parents and families in the program. Read up on reviews and try to generate a pros and cons list.

If your child went to multiple tryouts, compare the way the tryouts were ran. Which program was more organized? Which coaches had more engaged coaches? Which program had kids smiling more? One of the best ways to come to a decision about the right travel team is to compare programs head to head. Have your child part of this discussion too, as your kid will likely have more of a first-hand opinion on what they’re encountered.

We hope these suggestions help you select the right travel program for your child.

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Should your kids play on a travel team? A guide for sports parents

We are settling into a new year at work and school. For sports parents, it’s also a fresh time to think about goals to help our kids have the best possible experience with a team.

Whether your child is in grade school or high school, he or she is likely playing on a travel team, or you are at least considering it. What does a “travel” team mean?

My older son’s first travel baseball coach (who now coaches my younger son) once described our 9-year-old team as embarking on a figurative trip.  While we weren’t going to play in any overnight tournaments yet, the “travel” clarifier was meant to describe the journey we were undertaking.

It’s a journey, all right. Your child is likely to spend hours per week with their teammates, and you will see of lot of their parents. And yes, you will likely go to a games and tournaments a fair distance from your local area and sometimes stay overnight.

Travel sports, in some cases known as “club” sports, can be fulfilling and lead to a kid’s overall enjoyment and development. They can be springboard to high school and college athletics.

Sometimes, though, they can be a toxic experience where a coach plays favorites, certain players get disproportionately more playing time than others and team parents in the bleachers yell at the referees or umpires .

COACH STEVE: Do you cheer for your kid the right way? Use these better options

There may not be an ideal situation for your kid’s travel team but, whether your child is casual or super serious about a sport, you can usually find a good fit.

If you are thinking about trying out travel sports, or if your child has been doing them for a while and is looking for a new team, here are some important factors to consider from youth through high school.

The youth ages: You may not need a travel team

Don’t fall into the trap. Travel ball for pre-middle school kids is not a make-or-break step for a kid achieving success at a sport in high school and beyond.

Travel teams at these ages are often more about affirmation of kids’ “unique” abilities for their parents. Travel sports, and really sports at any level, should be about the kids, not the parents.

If your son or daughter expresses their own interest (not just your interest) in trying out for a travel team at a young age, go for it. However, keep a few thoughts in mind:

• Don’t play on a team that meets every day or requires you to play only that sport : It’s too early for this much intensity. Medical and athletic training experts agree that exposing kids to a variety of sports at an early age and allowing them adequate rest time in between promotes strong physical and mental health.
• Don’t be discouraged if you are cut from a travel team : It means little. In fact, it might motivate your child to try and get better on his or her own.
• You don’t have to be on the “best” team: What your child ultimately needs is reps.

You’ll find there are travel coaches and teams that overemphasize winning, even from the youngest of ages. But balancing winning with skills development is a more productive way to go for keeping a kid playing a sport.

No one wants to lose all the time. It’s demoralizing, as is driving your kids an hour each way to games where their team consistently loses. You want to find a team that wins some, but, more importantly, gives them the playing time and experience they need to get better.

No players should consistently be sitting on the bench, and no one should be restricted to one position. You want your child to develop confidence in a variety of roles.

Playing in recreational leagues, such at Little League, often give your kids the same benefits as travel teams at these ages. Rec leagues generally cost much less (maybe a couple hundred dollars as opposed to a couple thousand or more per season) and you can supplement them by working with your kid on your own. (That's a a terrific way to bond with your child, by the way). You might also find a relatively low-cost clinic run by a high school or college coach or former professional athlete that emphasizes skill development balanced with fun.

Whatever you are doing, if your kid isn’t having fun , it’s not worth your time.

The intermediate ages: Follow your kids' enthusiasm (and their growth spurts) to find a travel team

Travel teams at the middle school ages are generally made up of kids who want to play that sport in high school.

Your son or daughter should find a team where they get mostly equal playing time with the other players. These teammates, and your opponents, should be at a similar skill level. However, playing competitive games with and against kids a little more skilled than yours will only make them better.

Game exposure – taking a lead off first base with the pitcher watching you, sensing the guard coming from behind you to try and steal the ball or the boards looming next to you when you’re skating toward the puck – brings out a player’s competitiveness. You’ll know during this stage how serious your kid is about a sport.

Improvement can move at light speed at these ages as kids grow and are motivated to get better when they see progression. Like with a musical instrument, the amount of practice your child puts in away from official practices will ultimately determine how much he or she improves. Yes, there will still be kids who are naturally talented, but you’ll be amazed at who starts passing whom when kids’ true passion for and ability at a sport kicks in.

Still, don’t play this sport year round. Try a different one for fun during the offseason to rest, avoid burnout and promote overall athleticism. (High school and college coaches love athletic players.) Perhaps you play a sport like baseball or soccer that competes in the fall and spring and has once-a-week winter weight training session. You can supplement that training by playing an indoor sport like basketball.

Finally, know what you are getting into and heed the cost. Travel teams can occupy several weeknights with practice and eat up most of your weekends with games.

If your child isn’t serious about playing a sport in high school but still loves it, play in a recreational league. You also might find a lower-key (and hopefully less expensive) travel team.

If cost is an issue, however, and your kid is highly motivated to play travel, a team might be able to work with you at reducing the fee. It never hurts to ask.

The high school ages: Self-motivation drives success on travel teams

This is the proving ground. Travel players at the high school level are usually serious about playing in college. (And there are generally no parent-coaches around to coddle you.)

Travel teams should not conflict with the high school season. You want them to be an accompaniment to a high school team to get the most out of your young athlete. My older son, for example, plays for his travel baseball team in the summer and fall and his high school baseball team in the spring.

High school-level travel teams are generally geared toward getting kids into college programs. If your child makes one of these travel teams, expect him or her to get similar playing time to the other kids so they can showcase their abilities to college coaches. If your kid isn't playing regularly, it's not worth your time. 

Teams that represent high schools, however, are generally geared toward winning. Your child will have to earn his or spot and playing time on the team. The goal is to beat the neighborhood or district rival, and high school coaches play the best players most of the time to try and achieve it. Don’t expect equitable playing time.

You need to be realistic with yourself and your kid at this stage. If he or she is not self-motivated to practice, condition and strength and weight train (high schools can provide programs), they aren't likely to get much playing time on a high school team. Similarly, if you see little or no self-motivation in your child to work extra at a sport, you don’t want to spend your money on a travel team.

Rec teams, however, still exist at the high school level, and they can help maintain fitness and a love for a sport. If you have that love, you might even consider coaching a youth rec team when you’re in high school.

A note on bad coaches: You have the power to choose a better one

The coach can make or break the experience. Make a firm assessment before you kid begins playing for his or her travel team.

I found when my sons reached middle school, they responded and related better to younger coaches who played the sport in high school and/or college than to me and other parent coaches.

Regardless of age, look for a coach who is transparent with parents but also discourages them from getting too heavily involved in the inner workings of the team. You also want a coach who doesn't permit spectators to “coach” their own kids from the stands during games.

Ask the coach about his or her policy on parent interference. At the very least, doing so will alert the coach to think about how to deal with meddlesome parents. You may even prompt the coach to call a preseason parent meeting to nip the issue in the bud. 

COACH STEVE: Three steps to deal with a problematic coach

Once the season starts, look for potential warning signs about the coach’s own conduct and encourage your kids to talk to you about what they see. One parent in Northern Virginia told me her daughter has a youth soccer travel coach who has spoken to players in what the mother describes as a "borderline verbally abusive manner." The coach has even told players they shouldn’t tell their moms and dads what he is telling them.

The woman knows about the coach’s behavior because her daughter told her about it. The daughter learned, her mother said, that some adults make poor choices and that she needs to speak up for herself or tell her parents when something seems off.

This girl wasn’t one of the players who was singled out, though. The parents of those players apparently haven't spoken up out of fear the coach will take it out on their kids.

If you are proactive about choosing your child’s travel coach and team, though, you can avoid being in a situation like this one.

Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been an editor and writer with USA TODAY since 1999. He spent 10 years coaching his two sons’ baseball and basketball teams. He and his wife, Colleen, are now loving life as sports parents for a high schooler and middle schooler. For his past columns, click  here .

Got a question for Coach Steve you want answered in a future column? Email him at  [email protected] .

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Balancing Fun and Competition: A Guide to Traveling with Youth Sports Teams

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Table of Contents

Are you finding yourself traveling with youth sports teams on the regular? As a mom who’s navigated the highways and skyways with my son’s soccer team for more years than I can count on my fingers, I’ve become quite the seasoned pro at the delicate dance of traveling with youth sports teams. I’ve even done a few weekend drives for swim meets for my daughter through the years. Whether it’s a family affair or just one of us cheering from the sidelines, each trip is a new adventure with its own set of challenges and opportunities.

Through the countless weekend drives to neighboring towns and the few but far-flung destinations that have us buckling up on flights, I’ve seen firsthand the joys and trials of these journeys. There’s the thrill of the game, the camaraderie among the kids, and the chance to watch our young athletes grow—not just in their sport but in life.

Ready for a balanced approach to embracing both the fun and competitive elements of traveling with youth sports teams ? Because let’s face it, we’re not just ferrying future sports stars—we’re nurturing young spirits ripe for adventure. And if we are traveling every weekend, why not find a way to enjoy it and create amazing family memories at the same time?

Preparing for the Trip

When it comes to youth travel sports, preparing for the trip ahead of time makes all the difference between a great weekend away and a hot mess!

1. Planning each trip

Planning ahead is the cornerstone of any successful trip with a youth sports team. It’s about more than just securing a hotel room, figuring out where you can have a team dinner, and mapping out the road trip — it’s about anticipating the needs and dynamics of young athletes on the move.

Good planning ensures that every aspect of the trip supports peak performance while also allowing room for downtime and team bonding. It’s this careful blend of enjoying the location and preparing for games that can turn a simple game weekend into a cohesive, enjoyable experience for players, parents, and coaches alike, reducing stress and setting the stage for both competitive success and personal growth.

👉 Pam’s insider tip: Consider adding an extra day before or after the games so you can spend a day exploring the area. Last year, my son and I had a blast with an Ybor City Food Tour the day before a tournament in Florida.

2. Coordination with travel team

On most of our trips, the team prefers to stay in the same hotel . This allows the boys to hang out when they aren’t playing and it’s much easier to get together for dinner or to have fun between games.

If we are traveling for sports tournaments, there is usually a hotel block booked, but if it’s just two games fairly close to each other on the weekend, we might have to find our own hotels. In those instances, I use my favorite tips for finding the best family-friendly accommodations (and use hotel points if I can to keep costs down), and then I share my findings with the rest of the team to stay at the same place if they want to.

3. Take care of necessary logistics

Because we are on a youth sports travel team that has away games two to three weekends a month, I like to sit down at the beginning of the month and plot out a plan. I book all the hotels for the month and we decide which parent (or maybe both of us) will go along.

Once the hotel rooms are booked, because I’m me I do a little research to see what there is to do at each location. Some weekends we don’t have time to do anything, but often there is an afternoon or evening when we don’t have any team commitments and we can go do something fun! Just in case I like to have some ideas so I’m not scrambling when that free time comes up.

On the Road: Achieving the Balance

Now comes the tough part. Achieving the tricky balance between the scheduled games, rest time, family time, team bonding, and hopefully a little fun.

Structuring time

It would be quite easy to just go to the games and then sit around the hotel in between, but what would be the fun in that? And what kind of family travel expert would I be if I let that happen?

The way I handle structuring our time depends a lot upon the game schedule. That’s what I let lead the way – because much as I wish these are vacations, I have to remember we are there for the sports team. Typically we have one game a day and depending on when those games are tells me what we can do – and after years of this, I know how much we can handle.

If it’s a morning game, I’ll typically find something fun to do in the afternoon or evening (but probably not both as rest is critical for peak performance the next day) . However, if it’s an early game on the second day, then I’m not concerned about the kids getting worn out and we can do whatever we want for the rest of that day.

If the game is mid-day, the boys typically enjoy a leisurely breakfast and just hang around the hotel until game time. Then we typically go out for dinner as a team (or at least a group of the boys and parents who want to join us) . We might hit an arcade or miniature golf for an hour, but always try to call it an early night.

Finally, if the game is late in the day, we’ll spend most of the day relaxing. If there is a nearby town or something very low-key we might go check it out (like a local coffee shop or brewery), but that would be about it. After the game, the boys chill at the hotel (usually playing video games in one of their rooms) while the parents enjoy a drink in someone’s room or in the lobby – nothing too crazy of course and we always make it an early night.

Nutritional consideration

I’m pretty darn lucky that my kids are foodies and enjoy good food, so this isn’t a big issue for us. We simply use my favorite tips for finding the best local restaurants (and we’ve even taught some of the other boys how to search on Yelp) and consider that a fun part of our weekend.

Definitely try to avoid fast food – it isn’t good for anyone, and athletes won’t perform well when bogged down with junk. I also always pack a cooler with drinks and healthy snacks like fruit and string cheese, and I bring along a case of water.

Psychological aspects

This can be a tough one. Some kids take losses very personally, so it’s up to the parents to help them work through challenging feelings. Every kid handles this differently, so know your kid and know what they need. For instance, my son does best with a great meal and the distraction of having some fun with his friends versus sitting around the hotel room moping. But pay attention to what YOUR kid needs and act accordingly.

Parental Involvement: Traveling with Youth Sports Teams

Parents play a pivotal role in fostering an environment where fun and competition can coexist harmoniously during sports team travel. Here are a few ways they can contribute to this balance:

• Encouraging Team Spirit : Parents can organize group activities that are not only fun but also promote team spirit and camaraderie. Things like team dinners or a quick sightseeing detour can make the trip more enjoyable while also strengthening the team dynamic. A great example of this is my suggestion to our team to head over to the arcade located next to our hotel on Saturday night for an upcoming trip.
• Supporting Rest and Recovery : You can help ensure that players get proper rest between games. This might mean setting and enforcing quiet hours at the hotel or arranging for nutritious post-game meals that aid in recovery. We always make the boys go to bed fairly early on weekend trips.
• Focusing on Learning, Not Just Winning : By emphasizing the learning aspects of each game and not just the outcome, you can help young athletes appreciate the value of competition as a way to improve skills and teamwork, rather than just a means to a trophy.
• Providing Perspective : Parents can help young athletes process the highs and lows of competition, celebrating the wins while also seeing losses as opportunities to learn and grow, which can make the travel experience more positive and constructive.
• Modeling Good Behavior : How parents handle the stress of competition can set the tone for their children. Demonstrating good sportsmanship, patience, and positivity contributes to a supportive environment for everyone.

Don’ts

When contributing to a balanced experience of fun and competition for youth sports teams on the road, there are certain pitfalls parents should avoid:

• Overemphasizing Winning : Avoid putting too much pressure on winning games. This can create unnecessary stress and detract from the enjoyment of the trip.
• Neglecting Downtime : Don’t schedule every moment with activities. Kids need time to rest and relax, especially when they’re away from home. This one is hard for me, but through the years I’ve accepted that these weekends are for the athletes, not for vacations.
• Sideline Coaching : Refrain from coaching or giving too much advice from the sidelines. Trust the coaches and allow them to guide the team.
• Ignoring Team Rules : Ensure that all rules and expectations set by the coaches are respected and followed, even if they differ from personal opinions or parenting styles. We’ve had coaches who said no swimming between games and some who didn’t care – so we follow whatever guidelines the current coach sets.
• Don’t be one of those crazy parents in youth sports : We’ve all seen them, right? Always model good sportsmanship by respecting officials, opponents, and the rules of the game, regardless of the outcome. It can be hard, but you’re an adult, so you can do it!
• Isolating Your Family : Don’t separate from the group too much; it’s a team trip, and participating in group activities is part of the experience.
• Creating Cliques : Avoid forming cliques with other parents that could lead to exclusion and affect the children’s team dynamics.
• Ignoring Other Kids’ Needs : Be considerate of all children’s needs and preferences, not just your own child’s, to foster a supportive team environment.

By steering clear of these behaviors, parents help ensure that travel for youth sports remains a positive, growth-oriented experience for everyone involved.

Importance of Balancing Fun and Competition

Maintaining a balance between fun and competition in youth sports is essential for fostering a healthy attitude towards both the game and personal growth. The fun keeps the passion for the sport alive, ensuring kids stay engaged and eager to participate.

Competition teaches valuable lessons in resilience and hard work. But too much emphasis on winning can lead to stress and burnout, stripping away the joy that brought kids to the sport in the first place. And knowing how much my son loves soccer, this would be such a tragedy.

It’s the role of us as parents to help nurture this balance, helping young athletes enjoy their sports journey while learning important life skills along the way. This equilibrium not only enhances their current sports experience but also equips them with a balanced perspective for the future. I truly believe sports are great for kids – it keeps them active and out of trouble.

Creating Lasting Memories

Competition creates lasting memories for young athletes through shared challenges and achievements. The adrenaline of the game and the unity in striving for a win are powerful experiences that stick with them, forming stories they’ll revisit time and again.

Downtime offers a different kind of memorable moment, where friendships deepen and relaxation balances out the intensity of the game. These quieter interludes, filled with laughter and casual fun like going out for ice cream or playing video games in the room, are just as important in shaping a rewarding and memorable sports travel experience.

FAQs: Traveling with Youth Sports Teams

What age should you start travel sports.

Depends upon your kid and the level of competition. Some clubs start at age 9, but many kids aren’t mentally ready until age 12.

How do sports teams work?

A youth sports team is a team of players that play at an elite level.

Are travel sports good for kids?

Travel sports can be a great way to teach kids life skills such as juggling schedules, working hard and winning or losing gracefully.

Conclusion: Embrace the Club Travel Sports Season of Life

Let’s face it, striking the right balance between fun and competition is the key to a fulfilling travel sports experience—for the kids and their families. Through my many years as a travel sports mom, I’ve learned that while the thrill of the game is unforgettable, the quieter moments of connection and rest are equally vital.

Both elements are essential for creating a well-rounded, memorable journey. By planning effectively, encouraging team spirit, and ensuring there’s time for both competition and relaxation, we set our young athletes up for success on the field and off. And, as parents, we get to witness our children not only score goals but also grow into team players in the bigger game of life.

Let’s cherish these travels, for they are more than just trips—they’re chapters in our family’s story, each one a unique blend of dedication and joy. The time commitment is worth every memory you’ll make. I know as my years as a soccer mom are winding down I’m already missing them!

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Meet Pam Howard, mom of two teenagers who loves to make the most out of every day. Pam's passion for exploring new places and discovering hidden gems has led her to become a travel enthusiast. As a blogger, Pam shares her experiences and insights on day trips, weekend getaways, and everyday adventures in the Midwest and beyond. Join Pam on her journey as she inspires and motivates others to step out of their comfort zones and explore the world around them.

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The pros and cons of travel sports

Travel teams can be fulfilling and help you or your child develop. but is it worth the costs and effort.

By Alyssa Bradford

Travel sports can be great for children or youth to learn life lessons, exercise and make friendships. However, being a part of the team is also costly and time consuming.

So should you or your child play a travel sport? It depends on what you and your family are looking for. As a general suggestion, have a sincere discussion about expectations and what sacrifices the family will need to make.

For specific information and data for the pros and cons of travel sports, see below.

What is a travel sport?

A travel sports team features elite youth athletes who compete and travel extensively for games, competitions or tournaments. They are associated with private or club sport programs, distinct from recreational or school leagues, per Verywell Family .

There are multiple sports that offer travel teams to families and youth. Here are some of the most popular, according to Groundwork :

• Basketball.
• Field hockey.
• Gymnastics.
• Ice hockey.
• Volleyball.
• Water polo.

The pros of travel sports including improvement of skills, friendships, daily activity, life lessons and traveling.

Takes skills to next level

Travel sports offer higher-level competition, providing a pathway from recreational leagues to varsity teams. This can make it tempting for athletes wanting to get onto high school or college teams, per Rocky Top Sports World .

Builds friendships

The extensive time spent with teammates during practices, games and tournaments fosters friendships and create memories. This bond is particularly beneficial for reserved or shy children, helping them to feel belonging and grow in social skills, according to Rocky Top .

Daily activity

For those ages 5 to 17, 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activities should be completed throughout a day. This helps strengthen hearts, muscles and bones, per the World Health Organization .

According to The Everymom , travel sports allow for frequent activity and exercise for children and youth to stay healthy. Plus, it is usually more enjoyable than going to the gym.

Learning lessons

The Everymom also shares valuable lessons that one can learn from travel sports:

• Perseverance.
• Committing to promises.
• Knowing how to work as a team.
• Standing up for yourself.
• Working on and succeeding in goals.

According to Rocky Top Sports World , athletes on travel teams get to explore new locations and compete against opponents from other regions, states and sometimes countries. Families often seize this opportunity to turn sports travel into a vacation by aligning it with tournaments or events.

Cons of travel sports include costs, time spent, burnout, risk of injury and possible conflict with religion.

Expensive costs

The costs of travel sports might change depending on what sport you play, the team and where you live.

Looking at the 15 most popular travel sports above, Groundwork also shares the average costs per spot on the team.

• Baseball: $1,894.
• Basketball: $822.
• Cheer: $2,307.
• Dance: $2,099.
• Field hockey: $1,186.
• Football: $349.
• Gymnastics: $2,778.
• Ice hockey: $2,529.
• Lacrosse: $1,352.
• Rugby: $281.
• Soccer: $1,535.
• Softball: $1,258.
• Swimming: $1,325.
• Volleyball: $3,159.
• Water polo: $1,439.

According to Groundwork , these fees do not include travel, equipment, clothing and other expenses. “Parents can end up spending $10,000 annually for their child to participate at this level.”

It’s time consuming

Children’s sports activities can dominate schedules, with parents and children traveling extensively to attend games and tournaments, per Character Development and Leadership .

According to The Everymom , as a child, the author’s typical life while playing travel sports included three to five nights of long practices per week and two to three days for an away tournament almost every weekend.

As she grew older, the author found less time for hobbies or socializing with friends, as schoolwork demanded more of her free time, per The Everymom .

Burnout is possible

Burnout entails both mental and physical exhaustion, resulting in loss of interest in meaningful activities, according to Darling Downs Health .

With travel sports, burnout can be possible because of the constant time and energy dedicated.

Zipdo has important statistics related to burnout and sports:

• Seventy percent of U.S. kids quit organized sports at age 13 due to burnout.
• Boys are more likely to drop out (36%) than girls (31%) due to burnout.
• Three out of four athletes have faced moderate to severe burnout.
• U.S. youth athletes practicing over three consecutive hours are 125% more prone to burnout.
• Over 45% of specialized youth athletes quit due to burnout.
• Burnout in children playing travel sports surged by 50% in 2017.
• Athletes training over 16 hours weekly with inadequate sleep face a 70% higher risk of burnout.

Greater risk of injury

According to Sadler Sports , more than 3.5 million youth sports injuries require medical treatment each year. Engaging in youth travel sports, as a lot of time is dedicated to the sport, can elevate the risk of overuse injuries.

Due to playing consistently, athletes can also sustain injuries that last throughout their lives, such as knee or head injuries, per The Everymom .

May conflict with religion

Depending on how you and your family worship, check to see if what is expected or required makes you feel comfortable. Here are some ways religion may conflict with sports, per Case IQ .

• Required tournaments often play on Saturdays and Sundays. Question if one or both of those days are sacred.
• Some religions might not be allowed to mix with the opposite gender. Besides teammates, travel sports include meeting with coaches and staff.
• Is the sport uniform okay? Does it allow you to wear religious coverings? Is the uniform too revealing or does it showcase sponsors that you do not believe in?
• Does the team or coach accommodate as necessary for religious practices, such as easier practice when fasting or a quiet area for religious observation?

Should you or your child play a travel sport?

According to Verywell Family , before committing to a team, have an open discussion with your family about the sacrifices involved and whether you are prepared to make them. Here are some general questions to ask, besides looking at the pros and cons above:

• Are you familiar with the coach or coaches and do they offer the right environment for you or your child?
• Are you or your child a good team player?
• Are you or your child passionate and dedicated about the sport?
• How much can the family financially spend? How much does the travel team cost?
• How much time can you or your family give away? Can you or your children continue to complete school or family assignments?

If you, your child or your family feel comfortable with the answers given above, go for it! While people may continue to do travel sports throughout their youth, it does not mean someone can’t stop if wanted.

Want to get onto a travel sports team?

If the team requires tryouts, it can be scary for you or your child.

Before the tryouts look at some of these tips from the Thunder Soccer Club , perfect for all sports:

• Think positively and be confident.
• Put things in perspective. If you make the team, great; if not, that’s okay. What will you do for training next time if you don’t make it yet?
• Meditate, pray, take deep breaths and do what is necessary to calm down.
• Eat a light meal with carbohydrates before tryouts to get energy.
• Drink plenty of water weeks before tryouts begin. Hydration will help in performance.
• Get to the tryouts early.
• Bring all of the equipment you need. Consider packing beforehand so you don’t forget.

International

Quality    |     Value    |     Honesty    |     Trustworthiness    |     Support

We offer baseball tours to teams and individuals who are interested in joining our Select AIST teams representing the USA in International tournaments and exhibitions.

AIST offers opportunities to represent the USA in Men's and Women's basketball for tournaments and exhibition tours.

Field Hockey

Options for all levels and to many destinations. We have annual options for college players to represent the USA in Italy, Spain, Holland and Belgium.

British Open? Ryder Cup? We've got options for both. Travel to watch and or play.  

AIST has traveled with both Men's and Women's ice hockey at the High School and College levels.

Lacrosse has become one of our biggest sports. We have our own tournaments internationally in the UK for both College and High School levels as well as many options for tournaments througout the world.

Soccer offers many destinations and tournaments around the world. Join one of our select teams to compete and represent the USA.

AIST select softball teams are built by coaching professionals who recommend players to our tours annually. Find out more about available destinations and teams. Fill out a position form to check availability for each destination.

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Take your team abroad to compete, explore and experience the world!

Compete, explore and experience.

We help your team travel with customized itineraries, competition to match your level of play, quality accommodations, airfare bookings, tour preparations, and much more. Enjoy the tour while our staff makes sure the group is taken care of from start to finish.

An Incredible Sporting Experience!

AIST select teams for individuals gives athletes the opportunity to represent the USA while competing against international competition. There is no better way to see the world and combing the aspect of sport to fully immerse yourself into another culture. The friendships and experiences you will have will last you a lifetime. This exciting experience will give athletes a chance to really look at sports from a different perspective, and learn more about a particular country's history, culture, language and current events. We are recruiting the nation for athletes to join our teams for all destinations and levels of play. If you have interest in joining a team please contact us for more details. Our select teams represent the USA in many different locations. In addition we have opportunities at all levels of play including youth, high school , college and adult tours.

The Best In Service And Quality

Traveling with AIST means having at your disposal a team of experts that understand your sport and travel needs. We can organize your tour in the best way to balance your touring with playing games. We will match your teams level of play to find competitive games for any level. Opportunities to play national teams as well as professional level teams for quality division I experiences. Team tours gives your athletes a chance to really look at sports from a different perspective, expand their experiences, and learn more about a particular country's history, culture, language and current events. AIST will arrange all of the details for your tour including flights, accommodations, sightseeing, transportation, meals, games and guides. To top it all off we will include an experience of a lifetime for you and your group with a dedicated staff member! If you would like to request a custom tour package from AIST please go to Trip Request Form . The form will give us an opportunity to give you an accurate quote and customize the tour to your budget and estimated group size.

History of AIST

AIST SELECT TEAMS (INDIVIDUAL TOURS) Incorporated in 2001, American International Sports Tours (AIST) was born out of the vision of Chad Wilkinson and Gary Haarmann. Recognizing the demand for an honest, loyal, and reliable international sports tour provider, they aimed to open up the world of sports to others. In the early days of AIST, communication relied on phone calls and traditional mail invitations to handpicked players. Today, we have harnessed the power of social media, online statistics, and other recruiting resources to locate the finest athletes for our select teams. We conduct nationwide tryouts, some of which are graced by professional athletes, and offer online tryouts for those unable to attend in person. Our relentless search spans the entire country to find exceptional athletes who will proudly represent the USA in international competitions. We actively encourage friends and family to partake in these remarkable experiences alongside the athletes. Each year, we take immense pride in assembling high-quality teams, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all who seize this extraordinary opportunity. TEAM AND GROUP TRAVEL Beyond our individual tours, AIST also specializes in tailored group or team travel opportunities. Embarking on an international journey with your team fosters unity and creates lifelong memories. Teams are presented with the chance to compete against formidable opponents, experiencing their sport on a global scale. Often, the host teams enjoy socializing post-game, allowing your team to immerse themselves in the local culture and connect with residents. Opting for a sports tour not only grants your team more time on the field or court but also offers the chance to delve into other cultures while exploring some of the world's most breathtaking destinations. The unique fusion of sports and travel creates an incredible experience that transcends that of a typical tourist. Sports provide the opportunity to engage and connect with like-minded individuals from diverse cultures—a fantastic way to witness your team's growth and foster deep bonds. We spare no effort in ensuring a professional experience, delivering top-tier service, and upholding the highest standards of quality throughout our tours. ‍ Established in the year of 2001, AIST has built a reliable network of partnerships around the world to bring you the best value and services for international sports travel. AIST has undergone a remarkable journey of growth and expertise development over the past two decades. We have dedicated ourselves to perfecting the art of providing exceptional international sport tour experiences. Through our extensive knowledge and extensive network of contacts worldwide, we possess the ability to support teams at all levels of play, ranging from professional clubs and NCAA Div I to youth divisions. Our highly sought-after individual select team program has garnered significant popularity among athletes who are unable to travel with their respective teams or schools. At AIST, we extend a warm invitation to talented players from across the nation to join our select teams, proudly representing the USA in prestigious international tournaments and exhilarating exhibition games. ‍ If you would like to request a custom tour package from AIST please go to Team Trip Request tab and fill out the form. The form will give us an opportunity to give you an accurate quote and customize the tour to your budget and estimated group size.

AIST Team Tours

We serve both the private and public school sector in search of long-term partnerships with reputable institutions such as these.

Amazing Tour

Keilani walker, student athlete.

It's all around an amazing tour! We got to travel to a lot of places, experience an incredible culture and then finish with an Italy Lax Cup Championship! The people on tour and the culture were phenomenal. I would highly recommend these opportunities to any athlete considering the opportunity. I'm very grateful for the invitation I received to represent the USA with AIST!

Immersed in Italian Culture

Kia mcneill, head coach - brown university women's soccer.

“Our international trip with AIST to Italy was a trip of a lifetime, and will be a lasting memory for all of us for years to come. We were able to truly immerse ourselves in Italian culture by touring a wide range of cities and getting a first-hand experience of the history, beauty, and culinary excellence Italy has to offer. In addition to that, we were also able to play two professional teams, one of which plays in Serie A, the top professional league in Italy. I know this was a bonding experience that none of us will forget or take for granted. As a coach, that is the most rewarding part for me.”

Safe and comfortable the entire trip!

Mitchell mcpartland.

Just wanted to reach out and thank you for all of your help setting up our tour in Brazil. Your staff did a wonderful job hosting us and making our group feel safe and comfortable the entire trip. We would highly recommend Brazil to anyone asking for a destination to go to. Thanks again, looking forward to working with you again in the future!

Unforgettable Experience!

Taylor cotie, former aist player.

"Such an incredible and unforgettable experience. I'm thankful to AIST for this amazing opportunity to be invited to travel the beautiful country of Italy while also being able to compete in the sport I love. This trip was such an eye-opening experience and one I'll never forget. I'm so grateful for will cherish the friendships I made along the way while representing the USA!" - Taylor Cotie - Greensboro College - Italy Volleyball Tour 2023

Highly Recommend

Monica abbott, team usa softball.

Take a break from all the showcase craziness and travel abroad with AIST. What a great opportunity to put the fun back in softball and explore the world! I highly recommend that you take advantage of these opportunities to travel with AIST to represent the USA!.

Fantastic Hosts!

Laura maness, head coach - kennesaw state university.

"AIST put together the perfect tour for our lacrosse team from start to finish. My players will have memories of London and Paris to last a lifetime! AIST takes the stress out of the travel, so we got to truly enjoy the moment with our group."

Excellent Experience

Aram chahbazian, softball parent.

We had an excellent experience. It was very organized and well-planned with a great balance of planned/guided touring, free time and sports time. I was struck by the way AIST was able to seamlessly balance three different sports all traveling on the same bus, but with different play schedules and locations. Well done!

David Hixon

Head men's basketball coach amherst college.

Our trip was awesome - a 10! Our local guides and bus driver were just fabulous! We scheduled a lot of sightseeing, practice, and games on a 10-day tour, it all happened and all went well. Everything was great from the organization, food, transportation, and accommodation. It was truly a top-notch experience!

The benefits you'll experience

Traveling internationally with aist, professionalism, flexibility, attention to detail, our expert team, experienced & passionate.

Our coaches and travel experts come from across the US with deep knowledge of their respective sports, a history of successful collegiate coaching, and a firm foundation in helping athletes grow both athletically and morally. Our dedicated staff are committed to delivering your dream athletic tour.

Chad Wilkinson

President/CEO

Gary Haarmann

Vice President

Jennifer Hess

Brent Pourciau

Director of Baseball Operations

Karen Shaddock

Director of Lacrosse Operations

Aleah Hayes

AIST Tour Manager and Volleyball Coach

We have answers, let us know if you have questions?

What you should know, latest news.

We do our best to keep up with any news but you may find more on our social media during the tour season.

February 15, 2024

NFCA Softball Convention - Louisville 2023

Softball coaches come visit us at booth 206 in the vender hall to discuss your next international team tour with us. Have a great week in Louisville!

November 9, 2023

IWLCA Convention - St. Petersburg

AIST will be at the IWLCA convention November 15 - 17.

Summer 2023 - UK lax tour!

Georgian Court University Women's lacrosse players enjoyed a trip to the UK and Ireland with AIST in the summer of 2023.

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The Pros and Cons of Youth Travel Teams

A travel team is a youth sports team that plays at an elite level. These teams travel, often long distances and out of state, to games, competitions, and/or tournaments (hence the name). Usually, these teams are part of a private or club sports program, not a recreational league or one affiliated with a school.

There is almost always a try-out or audition process to join the team. And there is no guarantee of playing time (unlike in recreational leagues where all kids will usually get a chance to play regardless of ability). Travel teams are also sometimes called elite teams, select teams, club teams , or tournament teams.

Develop new skills

Enhances family bonding

Improved access to expert coaches

Reduces boredom

Increased risk for injury

Potential for burnout

Time-consuming

Young athletes can reach a point where they are bored with rec league play. A travel team may be the best way for them to learn new skills, meet expert coaches, progress in their sport, and have fun in the process. Kids need to be challenged so they can grow. On a competitive travel team, players gain great experience in team play and sportsmanship .

They also need to learn more about taking care of their body to keep it strong and healthy through conditioning, nutrition, and good sleep habits. And, of course, traveling can be a great way for both families and teams to bond through shared experiences, like meals or just swimming in the hotel pool. Kids are exposed to new cities and sometimes get a chance to play tourist.

Joining a travel team is definitely demanding, and not just for your kid. There are significant costs (thousands of dollars per season is common). There is a big time commitment: practices; games; travel; and parent volunteer hours all add up. It’s also likely that kids will need to miss school for team commitments. And with more practice and play time, the risk of injury and burnout goes up, too.

How to Make the Decision

It’s wonderful that your child wants to play at a higher level, but you need to be sure they understand what all you’re signing up for if they make the team.

When children are interested in a particular elite team, it's important to find out in advance what their expectations are. Have a frank family conversation about these sacrifices and whether you are willing to make them.

Be sure to consider these questions. It's really helpful to talk with other parents a few years ahead of you on the path—those who have experience with the same club or league you're looking at. Find out:

• Do you know the coach or coaches? Can you observe some practices or games before you commit? In many instances, the coaching staff can make or break a child’s experience with a team or sport. Look for positive, fair-minded coaching. Toughness is OK (even necessary for some kids and teams), but hostility isn’t.
• Does your child have the discipline, maturity, and attention span required to succeed? Even a child with exceptional innate talent still needs to be a good team player.
• How dedicated is your child? Do they want to try out for the travel team just because friends are doing it, or because it seems like the next step? Or are they truly passionate about the sport?
• How will they respond if they don't get selected for a team, or if they get selected but then don't see a lot of playing time? Do they understand that they'll have to compete for it?
• What is the financial commitment? It's not just what you'll spend on equipment and fees, which can be significant, but extras such as travel costs and required apparel purchases (like a team jacket or bag). And remember that there will be fundraising responsibilities, too.
• What is the time commitment? Lots of practice time is great for your player's development, but it definitely affects what other extracurricular activities they are able to do. And it cuts into homework time as well. Parents also will also have to give their own free time to volunteer.

Travel team play isn't right for every child, but it can be a lot of fun if you make the right match between child, sport, and team. The goal should always be for kids to have fun, be active, and keep learning, no matter what sport or team they choose.

The Sleep Foundation. How much sleep do student athletes need? .

Aspen Institute. 2019 State of play: Trends and developments in youth sports .

Moen F, Hrozanova M, Stiles TC, Stenseng F. Burnout and perceived performance among junior athletes-associations with affective and cognitive components of stress . Sports (Basel) . 2019;7(7). doi:10.3390/sports7070171

Merkel DL. Youth sport: positive and negative impact on young athletes . Open Access J Sports Med . 2013;4:151-60. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S33556

By Catherine Holecko Catherine Holecko is an experienced freelance writer and editor who specializes in pregnancy, parenting, health and fitness. 

25 Best Sports Travel Companies and Packages Tour Operators Worldwide

Last Updated on May 11, 2023

On this page, you will find 50 of the best sports tourism and sports travel providers in the world. If there is a company that is missing that you feel we should add, please feel free to contact me .

Table of Contents

1. Sportsnet Holidays, Australia

An Australian-based company that provides tickets, accommodation, and packages for sports events worldwide.

Sportnet includes a focus on Aussie events such as the Australian Open Tennis and the Melbourne Cup horse racing.

Visit SportsNet Holidays

2. MVP Travel, UK

As a subsidiary of Hays Travel, MVP Travel are a UK-based company that organises trips to some of the world’s best sporting events including:

• Indianapolis 500
• US Open Golf

Visit the site of MVP Travel .

3. SportsTravelandTours, USA

Sportstravelandtours.com is one of the leading U.S.-based companies providing tickets and packages to major events.

Whilst they have a heavy focus on U.S. sports such as basketball, baseball, and rodeo, they also provide tours for tennis, soccer, hockey and motor racing.

Visit sportsandtraveltours.com here.

4. Roadtrips.com, USA

Another U.S. based company that is worth looking at are Roadtrips.com

Roadtrips focus more on the luxury side of sports travel and events and provide a more bespoke service than some sports tickets and tour providers.

They also focus more so on the major events including the summer and winter Olympics, the Kentucky Derby, the MLC All-star game, and the major F1 races and soccer tournaments.

Visit Roadtrips.com here.

5. Elitesportstours, Canada

If you are Canadian-based, you might wish to take a look at ‘Elite Sports Tours’. EST offers sports travel packages to Major League Baseball (MLB) games, NBA basketball, and Major League baseball games.

So, if you are Canadian and looking to travel to the U.S. to experience one of the major U.S. sports, EST is worth looking at.

Visit Elitesportstours.ca here.

6. BAC Sport Limited, England

BAC is a London, England, based sports and hospitality provider, and they’ve been in business for over 25 years and made a good name for themselves.

As a British company, BAC offers packages for Commonwealth sports such as rugby and cricket. They also deal with all of the Formula One Grand Prix, golf, and tennis.

More on BAC Sport here.

7. Victory Sports Tours, USA

Based in Massachusetts, USA, Victory Sports Tours is a little different from the aforementioned companies in that they focus on helping sports teams to tour.

So, if you are a school, college, or university sports team, Victory can work to organize a tour for you within the States, or to more regions of the world.

They organize the travel, matches versus local sides at the places you visit (if needed), and cultural excursions for the tour group.

You can find Victory Sports Tours website here and they are also on Facebook .

8. Fanatic Sports, India

Fanatic Sports are based in Mumbai, India, and they are a sports tour operator that is heavily involved with sports such as cricket, tennis, F1, rugby, and golf.

They focus on hospitality and have offices also in Singapore, UAE, and Canada.

You can find Fanatic Sports here or on Twitter .

9. Spectate Travel, UK

Based in Chester, England, ITC has been organizing tailor-made sports trips for over 35 years and they are very good for cricket and rugby packages, as well as many of the major horse racing events (such as the Dubai World Cup and the Breeders Cup).

They also provide packages for F1 trips and the Ryder Cup.

Find Spectate Travel here .

10. Sporta Tours, U.S.

Similar to Victory Sport in the U.S., this sports travel agency based in Jaipur, India, organizes sporting trips for teams from schools, clubs, universities, colleges, and professional clubs, to visit several locations worldwide.

Sporta has been organizing tailor-made trips since 2006, having originally focused on cricket. Now though they organize trips worldwide for some major sporting bodies.

You can find Sports Tours here on Facebook .

11. Sportsbreaks.com, UK

‘Sports Break’ is a Manchester, UK, based company that provides packages that include tickets, travel, and hotel.

Few of the other providers we have so far mentioned have a heavy focus on football (soccer) but sportsbreak.com offers packages to many games for many of the leading European clubs, including Manchester United/City, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, Rangers, and Benfica.

They also offer packaged trips to see tennis, cricket, darts, and a few other events.

You can find Sportsbreak.com here.

12. Sportstravelinternational.com, Ireland

As one of Ireland’s leading sports travel and package companies, ‘Sports Travel International’ are quite distinct from all of the aforementioned companies.

They are especially good for runners , i.e if you want to enter one of the main marathons around the world. This includes the Petra Desert Marathon, triathlon, and cycling events are focused on.

So, if you are interested in running, cycling, or triathlons then they are especially good.

You can find the site of SportsTravelInternational.com here .

13. Go Sport Travel, Sweden

Based in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, ‘Go Sport’ is particularly adept at putting sporting travel packages together for Premiership football games, especially for the Scandinavian market.

They do also though provide tickets and travel for other major events, including the golf majors and for gold breaks.

You can visit the site of Go Sport Travel here .

14. VenaTour

Based in Cheltenham, England, VenaTour is a specialist in rugby tours to see the major rugby events.

If you need tickets to events such as the Rugby World Cup, 6 Nations, the Dubai Sevens, or the British Lions tour, VenaTour is certainly worth checking.

Visit VenaTour here .

15. Ski Solutions, UK

Turning to winter sports, an excellent company in the UK that specializes specifically in skiing is ‘Ski Solutions’.

Based in London, England, ski solutions are experts in providing ski packages to Austria, France, Switzerland, the USA, and about a dozen countries in all.

In addition to ski trips, they also provide snowboarding holidays and trips.

You can learn more about Ski Solutions here .

16. Bike Adventures, UK

For cycling and mountain biking experiences, BikeAdventures.co.uk is an excellent and well-established company and is UK-based.

They organize cycle trips worldwide including Asia, Europe, and North America.

You can find Bike Adventures here .

17. EDUSport, South Africa

EduSport is one of South Africa’s leading agencies dealing with sporting holidays, breaks, and tickets.

As a country in which rugby and cricket are particularly popular sports, you might not be surprised to learn that EduSport is a specialist in providing tickets and travel for the rugby world cups and major cricket events.

What I like about EDUSport though is that they provide participant sports opportunities for you if you are looking for yourself to get involved, such as with cycling, golf , hiking, and running.

Can visit EduSport here .

18. St. Thomas Water Sports, Virgin Islands

Watersports SVI (St.Thomas Virgin Islands) provides a range of water sports and activities for travelers to the stunning island of St.Thomas in the Caribbean Ocean.

Some options include:

• Nighttime kayaking
• Sunset sailing trips

You can learn more here .

19. Lion Sports Travel, England

Given the name of the company, it might be a giver away that Lion Sports focus on the British Lions (rugby) and other rugby international and tournaments.

Lion provides sporting tickets and travel packages also for major international cricket, netball, basketball., hockey, and golf.

A major part of their focus is on South Africa, Singapore, India, Barbados, Dubai, and Sri Lanka.

Here’s the Lion Sports official website .

20. Ama Travel, Canada

Ama Travel is a sports vacation company that is based in Canada

Whilst not specifically a sports vacation provider, their mountain and ski vacation packages in the Rocky Mountains are worth checking.

You can find Ama Travel here .

21. Alliance Sports Travel, USA

If you are looking for sports tickets and travel packages for major U.S. sports, Alliance is a great option.

Alliance focus on college-level sports and helps college sports team to organize their own package to travel and play other teams in the U.S.

Learn more about Alliance here .

22. Florida First Sports

Whilst they also provide non-sporting travel and vacation, Florida First has a sports holiday division that provides services that include:

• diving trips
• water-skiing
• tennis academies
• biking vacations
• NFL tickets for the Florida-based teams (the Dolphins, Buccanneers, and the Jaguars).
• Tickets also for the pro baseball, basketball, and soccer matches that take place in the state, such as for Inter Miami .

Learn more about the Florida First Sporting options .

23. Sportstravelinc, USA

Group sports travel is the focus of the Texan-based company SportsTravelInc.

They organize sporting trips for school, youth, and college groups, i.e. team travel trips. They also organize group sporting trips for adults.

You can discover more on Sports Travel Inc here .

24. Williment, New Zealand

Being New Zealand-based, Williment understandably has a high focus on organizing trips to NZ sporting events.

If you are interested, for example, in tickets and packages to see the top NRL (New Zealand Rugby League) games, the Repco Bathurst 1000 (Supercars event), or one of the F1 races, Williment is worth checking.

More on Williment here .

25. Sporting Holiday Group, UK

The ‘Sporting Holiday Group’ is a small UK business run by Ben Clubley and Max Alvy and they focus mostly on European-based sporting events and travel.

Their business is backed by ABTA and you can learn more about them here .

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Hi there! I’m Paul and I’m the owner of Symonds Sports. I’m a sports fanatic who travels worldwide to see major sports events and I love seeing & trying sports in different countries. Thank you for visiting this site. More on me here..

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6 Key Factors When Thinking About Travel Sports Teams

As a mother of a child who loves sports, I know firsthand the importance of finding the right travel sports teams and programs for them. My son has been on several youth travel sports teams over the years and it has been a fantastic experience for him.

Not only has he been able to improve his skills and compete against other talented players, but he has also been able to travel and make new friends.

When searching for children’s travel sports teams, there are a few things to keep in mind.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

First and foremost, it is important to find a team that is the right fit for your child’s skill level and interests. Many youth sports travel leagues offer tryouts or evaluations to ensure that children are placed on teams that are appropriate for their abilities.

THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT 

Another important factor to consider is the level of commitment required by the team. Some junior travel sports programs require a significant time commitment, with practices and games several times a week. Others may have a more relaxed schedule and be better suited for children who also have other activities or commitments. It’s essential to weigh the time and financial commitment before committing to a team.

REPUTATION AND DEDICATION

It’s also important to make sure that the team has a good reputation and that the coaches and other adults involved with the team are dedicated to providing a safe and positive experience for the children. It’s always a good idea to do some research and check out the reviews of other parents who have had children on the team.

OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT

One of the best things about youth sports travel teams is the opportunity for children to travel and compete against teams from other areas. This can be a great way for children to experience different cultures, meet new people and make friends from all over the country. They also get to experience different playing style and level of competition which can help them grow as an athlete.

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT 

However, one of the downsides of children’s travel sports is the cost. It can be expensive to cover travel and lodging expenses, as well as the cost of uniforms and equipment. It’s important to consider the cost and whether it is feasible for your family before committing to a team.

IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS 

Another great aspect of children’s travel sports is that it can help children develop important life skills such as teamwork, leadership and discipline. These experiences can also boost self-esteem and confidence, helping children to become well-rounded individuals. But, it can also be stressful for the child, especially if they are not performing well or if they are away from home for an extended period. It’s essential to have a conversation with your child and to make sure that they are comfortable with the commitment before joining a team.

TRAVEL SPORTS TEAMS

As a mother, I highly recommend looking into children’s travel sports teams for your child. With the right team, your child will have the opportunity to improve their skills, make new friends and have fun while traveling and competing. But, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons, and to make sure that it’s the right fit for your child and your family. Whether your child is interested in soccer, basketball, volleyball or any other sport, there is a youth sports travel team out there that is the perfect fit for them.

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11 Olympic Athletes You Should Know About Before The 2024 Olympics

Get to know some of the women who'll be representing Team USA.

Over 500 incredible U.S. athletes will make up the Olympic Team roster, according to NBC Sports . From finalizing teams, the lighting of the torch, and breakdancing making its official debut, there's a lot to look forward to this summer.

The competition kicks off on July 26, but you start keeping an eye on these Team USA athletes right now. Ahead, get to know 11 of the all-star women competing in the 2024 Olympic Games.

Sha’Carri Richardson

Age: 24 Hometown: Dallas, TX Sport: Athletics

American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson is known for her impressive speed and distinct style. The Dallas native found her love for sprinting in high school, excelling at both the AAU Junior Olympics and college competition at LSU, per her Olympics bio .

In 2019, Sha’Carri impressed the world by breaking two U20 world records on the same day at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships, per the Olympics. Two years later in 2021, Sha’Carri competed in the US Olympic Trials, but was disqualified for testing positive for THC. She had to serve a one month suspension and was not selected to compete in the Tokyo Olympic Games.

But 2023 led to one of Sha'Carri's best seasons yet. That year, she clenched a new competition record of 10.65 seconds in the 100m in Budapest World Championships. She then ran her personal best during the 200m, finishing the race at just 21.92 seconds to take bronze. To top it all off, she served as an anchor in the women’s 4x100m relay, where the team won gold.

Sha’Carri doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. You’ll want to keep an eye on her during the 2024 Olympics as she helps lead Team USA to victory.

Sunisa “Suni” Lee

Age: 21 Hometown: Saint Paul, MN Sports: Gymnastics

You may have heard of Sunisa “Suni” Lee during the last Olympic Games: In 2021, the then-18-year-old secured three medals in Tokyo (gold in the individual all-around category, silver for the team event, and a bronze for the uneven bars, per USA Gymnastics ).

Suni , who grew up in Minnesota and currently attends Auburn University, has won a plethora of awards and honors throughout her career, including 2022 SEC All-Freshman Team and Freshman of the Year, 2022 WSF Sportswoman of the Year, and 2022 NCAA beam champion, according to her Tigers bio .

During the 2023 season, the gymnast was sidelined with an unspecified kidney illness after competing in eight meets, per People . However, she finished the year strong with two All-American honors and 18 event titles, according to her bio. Since she’s healthy now, there’s no denying this momentum will continue throughout the Olympic games this summer.

Katie Ledecky

Age: 27 Hometown: Washington, D.C. Sport: Swimming

Seven-time gold medalist Katie Ledecky has competed in three Olympics, making the 2024 competition her fourth time in the games. When she was just 15 years old, the swimmer won her first gold medal in the 800m freestyle at the 2012 London Olympic Games, catapulting her to become one of the all-time greats.

The 27-year-old, who is an Olympic champion at every distance from 200 to 1500 meters, began swimming at just 6 years old. In high school, she broke several long-standing records and even earned an athletic scholarship at Stanford University, per her Olympics bio .

Katie has excelled in her sport and is the only swimmer to win five consecutive world titles in an individual event (the 800m freestyle), according her Olympics bio. With so much success, all eyes are on her this summer in Paris.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Age: 24 Hometown: New Brunswick, NJ Sport: Athletics

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone 's athleticism isn't a surprise, given her sporty family. In 1984, her father, Willie, made the 400m semi-finals at the U.S. Olympic trials. Meanwhile, her mother was a middle-distance runner, and her older brother, Tyler, won a silver in the 400m hurdles at the 206 IAAF World U20 Championships, per her Olympics bio . But Sydney has surpassed them all—in the 2020 Games, she won two gold medals, one for the 400m hurdles and the other as a part of the winning 4x400m relay. Following this, she was named World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year.

Sydney hasn't stopped there. In 2022, she improved her world record in the 400m hurdles in the U.S. National Championships, and then improved it once again at the World Championships.

But 2023 came with some battles for Sydney, with a minor knee injury resulting in her withdrawing from the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She's since recovered and is ready to dominate the competition in the upcoming Olympics, per her bio.

Trinity Rodman

Age: 21 Hometown: Newport Beach, CA Sport: Soccer

In 2021, soccer player Trinity Rodman was drafted in the National Women’s Soccer League second overall at 18 years old, making her the youngest player ever to be drafted. Since joining the Washington Spirit, the pro has shattered records, receiving the titles of NWSL Rookie of the Year and Young Female Player of the Year, her Olympics bio states.

The 21-year-old seemingly got her athletic genes from her father, basketball legend Dennis Rodman. During the 2020 CONCACAF U20 Women’s Championship against Mexico, Trinity scored two goals and went on to make her first appearance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside Team USA, per her bio. But this soccer pro is just getting started, and her first Olympic appearance will certainly be a treat to watch this summer.

Katie Grimes

Age: 18 Hometown: Las Vegas, NV Sport: Swimming

During the last games in 2021, Katie Grimes became the youngest person to qualify for Team USA. The Las Vegas native, who was 15 at the time, qualified for the Olympics in the 800m freestyle, placing second behind Katie Ledecky. And, although she didn't take home a medal (she placed fourth in the final), she found a teammate for life, with Katie Ledecky nicknaming the duo "Katie squared," per the New York Post .

Katie has only improved since then. In 2022, she won two World Championship silver medals, according to Swim Swam . Since 2021, the swimmer has won three medals in pool events while competing at the World Aquatics Championships. She's also one of the few swimmers who've won medals at both pool and open-water events, per Nevada State Bank .

Katie, now 18 years old, will give swimmers a run for their money this year at the Olympics in Paris, where she was the first athlete to qualify for Team USA, according to NBC Sports .

Sophia Smith

Age: 23 Hometown: Windsor, CO Sport: Soccer

Stanford University alum Sophia Smith has been a soccer star since she was a child. At 16 years old, she received her first Senior National Team call-up; however, she didn’t make the team until three years later in 2020. The forward was the first player born in the 2000s to earn a cap for the U.S. women’s national team, per US Soccer.

Unstoppable on the field, Sophia scored 11 goals during the 2022 NWSL season. She also won the 2022 BioSteel U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, was named MVP, and helped lead the Portland Thorns to victory in the NWSL Championship, US Soccer states.

Sophia has been a key player for Team USA since making her World Cup debut in July 2023. She scored two of the USWNT’s three goals against Vietnam, leading her team to victory in the tournament's first game, according to TODAY . The squad will certainly be in good hands with this newcomer running the field.

Shilese Jones

Age: 21 Hometown: Seattle, WA Sport: Gymnastics

Shilese Jones, 21, began dominating international competitions in 2018, per USA Gymnastics . Despite her elite skills, the gymnast didn't make the 2020 Olympics team, but after a few years of serious determination and hard work, she's become one of the best gymnasts in the world.

In the 2021 Winter Cup, she became the all-around silver medalist and the uneven bars and floor exercise bronze medalist, according to the Olympics. She's only gotten better since then—in 2022, she became the World team champion, plus an all-around and uneven bars silver medalist. It's pretty clear she'll be a huge asset to the USA Gymnastics team this summer.

Carissa Moore

Age: 31 Hometown: Honolulu, HI Sport: Surfing

Carissa began surfing at just 5 years old when she began riding the Waikiki waves with her father, according to her Olympics bio . As she began competing, she quickly climbed to the top, leading her to a successful surfing career filled with top titles and championships.

Throughout her career, she's won 11 NSSA amateur titles, and even made history in 2008 when she became the youngest champion of the Reef Hawaiian Pro, per her Olympic bio. Three years ago, Carissa won the sport's first-ever Olympic gold medal when the sport made its debut at the Tokyo Games.

Now, Carissa is optimistic about the upcoming contest and defending her Olympic title, per her bio.

Age: 23 Hometown: Denver, CO Sport: Athletics

Track and field star Anna Hall hasn't had the easiest journey to the world stage—she broke a bone in her left foot during the 2020 Olympic trials, derailing her from advancing to the Tokyo Games. After healing and transferring to the University of Florida ahead of the 2022 season, Anna has been dominating the sport. She shattered collegiate records, won NCAA titles, and earned the bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships in 2022, per her Olympics bio .

At the 2023 U.S. Indoor Championships, Anna broke the North American pentathlon record, and claimed the 400-meter title. She also secured a silver medal in heptathlon at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, according to her bio. She'll be a key asset to Team USA in just a few months.

Sara Hughes

Age: 29 Hometown: Long Beach, CA Sport: Beach volleyball

Sara Hughes has been playing beach volleyball since she was eight years old, per the Association of Volleyball Professionals . Her talent led her to play beach volleyball at the University of Southern California, where she won four national championships, according to her school bio .

Since 2022, Sara has been partnered up with Team USA's Kelly Cheng, and the two have won match after match. Most recently, they secured gold at the 2023 Beach World Championships and bronze at the 2024 BPT Doha Elite 16, per USA Volleyball .

Sara is a beast in the sand and will be a force to be reckoned with throughout the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Sydney is a freelance writer in the beauty, lifestyle, and wellness space. She has written for multiple publications throughout her career, including InStyle, Architectural Digest, Glamour, and Elle, in addition to a copywriting for a handful of beauty and wellness brands.

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Alabama holds its first ever U.S. Olympic trial for a sport that's little-known there

Rolando Arrieta

Evy Leibfarth navigates a slalom course at Montgomery Whitewater Park in Alabama. She won an Olympic trial there and punched her ticket to the Paris games this summer. Montgomery Whitewater Park hide caption

Evy Leibfarth navigates a slalom course at Montgomery Whitewater Park in Alabama. She won an Olympic trial there and punched her ticket to the Paris games this summer.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Tammy Sterling had plans to go out of town this past weekend. Instead, she stayed home to attend an athletic event she'd never seen before.

"I am actually watching the Olympic trials, and I'm going to see somebody that I watched today at the Paris Olympics in 2024. It's just amazing. I love it," Sterling said.

The U.S. Olympic Team trials for canoe and kayak slalom were held Saturday and Sunday at Montgomery Whitewater, a new artificial watersports complex near downtown Montgomery. Hundreds of curious Alabamians turned out for the event.

Cindy Riggins was intrigued by the caliber of athletes who had traveled to her hometown for this competition.

"It looks like a fun sport. Looks very tiring — you have to definitely be in shape," she said.

In canoe and kayak slalom, athletes race against the clock navigating through a series of red and green gates hanging above raging rapids. Points are deducted if they touch or miss any of the gates. Coaches, teammates, friends and parents ran alongside the course, encouraging and cheering the racer down to the finish line.

"They chant: up up up!" said kayaker Nik Nijhawan. "That's because the red gates are also called up gates so it's our own variation of, go go go," Nijhawan said.

Nijhawan, 16, is from Colorado and said he does not expect to make the Olympic team this year — "but sometime in the next 10 years it would be amazing."

At the U.S. Olympic trials in Montgomery, Evy Leibfarth wins a spot to represent USA in women's canoe slalom for the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer. Rolando Arrieta/NPR hide caption

At the U.S. Olympic trials in Montgomery, Evy Leibfarth wins a spot to represent USA in women's canoe slalom for the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer.

Evy Leibfarth, 20, from Bryson City, N.C., had the fastest time in both kayak and canoe slalom events and was the only athlete among the nearly 70 who competed in Montgomery to secure an Olympic spot in the women's canoe slalom. The remaining spots for Team USA will be determined in Oklahoma City in two weeks.

"This weekend has been amazing for me. I'm really proud of my racing this weekend. Overall it's been great, emotional and so much fun." said Leibfarth, who'll be competing in her second Olympics after finishing outside the top 10 in two events in Tokyo in 2020.

World Athletics will pay $50,000 to Olympic gold medalists in track and field events

"It's been a dream of mine to go to Paris for a really long time and I'm really stoked to make that a reality," Leibfarth added.

Boosting the city's athletic profile

Local leaders hope an Olympic-sanctioned event like this will help the Montgomery economy and put the city on the map as a sports tourism destination.

Mayor Steven L. Reed said that hosting the U.S. Olympic trials speaks to "a pivot we want to make, to make sure that sports tourism is also a big part of what's happening here."

I'm Really Into

Whitewater kayaking might not be for the faint of heart, but rapids are my sanctuary.

He said he sees a kayaking and canoeing competition of this level as a way to break down racial, economic and social barriers, particularly among kids. "Maybe they can be the first one from Montgomery or maybe one of the first ones from Alabama to bring home a medal" in these events, the mayor said.

Montgomery Whitewater was built by the county for about $90 million and opened in July. It's the third artificial whitewater park in U.S. cities, joining facilities in Oklahoma City and Charlotte. It's part of a broader shift in the sport, with almost all high-level competitions now held on artificial courses.

Three-time kayak slalom Olympian Scott Shipley, who is now a mechanical engineer, designed all three whitewater parks.

"It was something I wanted to bring to America," Shipley said. "It's a whole recreational thing where it's not just that 1%, but also church groups and school groups and family and friends coming out to enjoy whitewater where they are."

Fans watch Evy Leibfarth compete in Olympic trials at Montgomery Whitewater Park. This is the Alabama facility's first year in operation. Montgomery Whitewater Park hide caption

Fans watch Evy Leibfarth compete in Olympic trials at Montgomery Whitewater Park. This is the Alabama facility's first year in operation.

Bringing broader visibility to paddle sports

Jedediah Hinkley, competition director for the American Canoe Association, made a half-dozen trips to the venue to make sure it was ready for the Olympic trials. He said his group and Montgomery share a goal of "creating access to a sport that a lot of people around here have not historically had access to."

Even with the new venue, not everyone in Montgomery is ready to pick up a paddle. Nick Riggins, who watched the events with his sister Cindy, said that when he first heard about the city investing in a whitewater park near downtown he "thought it was a hoax."

" It's interesting to watch to see how they maneuver with the kayaks and all that other kind of stuff, but not anything that I would want to do," Riggins said. "There's a lot of water moving real fast and I don't want to do that."

Still, he said, he was glad the facility was open.

Clarification April 18, 2024

An earlier version of this story said there were three artificial whitewater courses in the United States. There are three in urban settings. A fourth, built near a mountaintop resort in Maryland, has been closed but is expected to reopen Memorial Day weekend.

• Paris Olympics 2024

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Nyc high school soccer game canceled after group of about 30 migrants refuse to leave the field — even after cops showed up.

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A high school soccer game at a public field in East Harlem was canceled after a group of migrants refused to leave the pitch so the kids could play.

“I directly asked them to leave and some of them kind of took it into consideration, but then four or five of them said, ‘You know what, f–k it, we don’t have to leave, we can do whatever we want,'” said Erik Johansson, the coach of the Manhattan Kickers 17-year-old boys travel team.

About 40 boys from both teams showed up on Sunday, April 14 at Thomas Jefferson Park for the 5 p.m. match.

The Kickers were set to face off against FA Euro New York.

But a group of about 30 men who appeared to be African migrants and spoke little English, wouldn’t leave — even when the cops showed up.

To resolve the conflict, the cops asked to see a copy of the club team’s city permit.

“When you show up with two teams in uniform, a ref and two coaches, usually nobody is asking to see your permit,” said Johansson.

By the time Johansson’s assistant was able to forward a copy of the Kickers’ permit, the game had been delayed 30 minutes and the teams didn’t feel safe.

“Even when the game is over, you don’t know if they’re waiting for you, so even if the cops kicked them out, it may not be over. So we just all agreed, this is too dangerous,” Johansson said.

In his home country of Sweden — which saw a massive influx of migrants in recent years — the clashes on the pitch were all too common.

“I have seen this before, I know how bad it can get,” he said.

Parents told him they were rattled by the incident, and don’t want to play at the field anymore. Johansson said they don’t plan to return.

At other fields, like in East River Park, they don’t have these issues — but field space in the city is limited and they take what they can get.

“It’s so frustrating that the guys who refused to follow the rules won,” Maud Maron, a SoHo mom whose son plays on the team, told The Post.

“That’s the message the kids got.”

She said it is a sign of the Big Apple becoming “lawless.”

The East Harlem field is packed with teams competing with adults for weekend time on the turf, parkgoers said. Randall’s Island, which sits on the other side of the Harlem River, was converted into shelter space for 2,000 migrants last year at the expense of the popular youth soccer fields.

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Brighton 0-4 Manchester City: Champs near their best for the stretch

Manchester City sauntered past Brighton and Hove Albion to continue their Premier League title push with a 4-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Thursday.

WATCH BRIGHTON v MANCHESTER CITY FULL MATCH REPLAY

Phil Foden scored twice, Kyle Walker had two assists, and Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez also scored in the win, which sends City a point behind leaders Arsenal . The three-time defending champions have a match-in-hand on the Gunners as well.

Brighton fall to 11-11-11, winless in their last four Premier League matches and stuck in 11th with 44 points.

What’s next?

City goes to relegation-haunted Nottingham Forest for an 11:30am ET Sunday kickoff, 2.5 hours after Brighton head to Bournemouth .

How to watch Brighton vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time

Kick off : 3pm ET, Thursday (April 25) TV Channel : USA Network Online : Watch live online via NBC.com

Brighton vs Manchester City live updates — By Nick Mendola

Brighton vs manchester city final score: 0-4.

Goalscorers: De Bruyne (17'), Foden (26', 34'), Alvarez (63')

Brighton 0-4 Manchester City (63rd minute)

Julian Alvarez!

Halftime — Brighton 0-3 Manchester City

City have been ruthless as they're well on their way to second-place and one point behind Arsenal with a match-in-hand.

Pep Guardiola's men have held 66% possession and have taken nine of the game's 12 shot attempts.

It took about 15 minutes for City to figure out a decent Roberto De Zerbi plan, but now the Italian needs another one.

Foden bags a brace — Brighton 0-3 Manchester City (34th minute)

A rough play atop his own box by Brighton teenager Valentin Barco teaches a quick lesson.

Bernardo Silva cuts off Barco's pass and the ball goes right to Foden, who buries it. 3-0.

Free kick goal! Brighton 0-2 Manchester City (26th minute)

Phil Foden slips and wins a free kick.

He doesn't waste it, taking a left-footed shot that turns off Pascal Gross ' back to beat Steele. 2-0.

De Bruyne diving header! Brighton 0-1 Manchester City (17th minute)

Phil Foden carries through traffic and cuts a nice ball toward the end line.

Kyle Walker winds up with a chance to cross from the right, and Kevin De Bruyne leaps to nod past Jason Steele .

A pretty goal. 1-0.

Brighton offer stiff opening challenge in organization

Brighton has contested City's possession further up-field than most, as the visitors have kept the ball but struggled to find danger.

A free kick from the far left leads to a sliding chance for Nathan Ake around the quarter-hour mark, but it's sent over the goal.

Brighton lineup

Steele, Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Gross, Baleba, Gross, Moder, Barco, Pedro, Welbeck

Manchester City lineup

Ederson , Walker (C), Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Alvarez'

Brighton focus, team news

Brighton's slump in form has been surprising, but should it be? They have suffered so many injuries throughout this season, especially in attack, and the players who are left look extremely jaded after their Europa League exploits. De Zerbi needs to somehow rejuvenate them because if you look at their fixtures after this game, there is still a chance they can finish in the European spots. If Man City win the FA Cup then seventh-place in the Premier League will be a UEFA Conference League spot.

OUT: Kaoru Mitoma (lower back), Solly March (knee), Jack Hinshelwood (ankle), James Milner (thigh), Billy Gilmour (knee), Evan Ferguson (ankle), Adam Webster (muscular), Julio Enciso (knock), Tariq Lamptey (muscular), Pervis Estupinan (ankle)

Manchester City focus, team news

Erling Haaland was missing for Man City at the weekend and he will be missing again. Kevin de Bruyne was pushed to his limits over the last week too, so he may sit out, but Guardiola does have the luxury of not having any injuries and it is all about meticulous rotation between now and the end of the season for City as they aim to win the Premier League and FA Cup trophies.

OUT: Erling Haaland (fitness)

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2024 Nike EYBL season begins for top college basketball recruits. Here are the names to know.

M ark Pope is currently focused on putting his first Kentucky basketball team together for the 2024-25 season. But as UK’s new head coach begins to establish a framework for his program culture in Lexington, it won’t be long until that focus includes the Wildcats’ long-term future.

And several players who could be part of that future will be starting their travel basketball seasons this weekend.

The Nike EYBL circuit — which under former UK coach John Calipari was a showcase of the top prospects that UK recruited — begins its 2024 season this weekend with a three-day event in Memphis. This is the first of five Nike EYBL sessions that will take place this spring and summer, culminating in the prestigious Peach Jam event in mid-July in North Augusta, South Carolina.

Pope, who was announced as the Kentucky basketball coach April 12, has yet to issue a Kentucky scholarship offer to a current high school player. Pope’s roster-building efforts have focused on the NCAA transfer portal and trying to secure recruiting visits and commitments from current college players.

But soon enough, Pope’s high school basketball recruiting strategy at Kentucky will become apparent.

Here’s a look at the top players who are running on the Nike EYBL circuit this year, including several who held Kentucky scholarship offers from Calipari’s time as head coach.

College coaches will have the opportunity to be in person, in the gym for two Nike EYBL events this season: The regular season event in Indianapolis that runs from May 17 -19 and the season-ending Peach Jam event in mid-July.

Top 2025 players begin final grassroots season

A glance at the top of the college basketball recruiting rankings for 2025 includes several players who are about to embark on their final Nike EYBL seasons.

This elite group includes guard Darius Acuff Jr. (The Family), former Woodford County High School guard Jasper Johnson (Team Thad), top-ranked prospect small forward AJ Dybantsa (Oakland Soldiers), power forward Cameron Boozer (Nightrydas Elite) and power forward Caleb Wilson (Georgia Stars).

Under Calipari, Kentucky had scholarship offers out to and was actively recruiting all of these players as well as Cameron Boozer’s twin brother, Cayden, who is a top guard prospect.

Both of the Boozer twins play together on the Nightrydas Elite team.

Earlier this week, Dybantsa’s father, Ace, told ESPN that he expects Kentucky to re-offer a scholarship to his son.

“We’re expecting BYU and Kentucky to offer soon,” Ace Dybantsa said. “Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama, Baylor, Cincinnati, Providence, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kansas, North Carolina, and others have offered. I expect more after the first live period on May 17-19. We will cut the list down to five schools in early June and take five visits in the fall.”

This week, Kentucky basketball’s new coaching staff — including Pope and newly hired assistant coach Jason Hart — reached out to Johnson, a former Central Kentucky high school star and a top backcourt prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.

Johnson’s father is Dennis Johnson, the former Harrodsburg, UK and NFL football player who serves as the head football coach and athletics director at Woodford County.

“Pope is a good dude. He’s energetic just like he was at his press conference (in Rupp Arena),” Dennis Johnson told Vaughts Views this week. “He wants guys to play for the name on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back.”

As is commonplace, almost all of the top class of 2025 prospects remain uncommitted and have yet to pledge to attend a school for their college career.

One of the few elite players that has already committed will be in action in Memphis, though: Four-star point guard Jeremiah Fears, a verbal commit to Illinois, will be playing with Indy Heat.

Louisville native Tyran Stokes competes for top spot in 2026 class

Kentucky fans became familiar with power forward Tyran Stokes last year, when he claimed an early spot at the top of the 2026 recruiting rankings.

Originally from Louisville, Stokes was the only class of 2026 player to be extended a scholarship offer by Calipari before the former UK head coach stepped down from that post in early April to become the new head coach at Arkansas.

Stokes, who is teammates with Dybantsa at California’s Prolific Prep, will also be teammates with Dybantsa this season on the Nike EYBL circuit. Both players moved from their former EYBL programs to play together on the Oakland Soldiers squad.

Dybantsa previously played with Expressions Elite and Stokes previously played with Vegas Elite, a team that reached the championship game of last year’s Peach Jam.

Relatives of NBA players again among top recruits

Plenty of players with family ties to former NBA stars will again be gracing the Nike EYBL circuit this spring and summer.

This group includes class of 2025 four-star small forward Jermaine O’Neal Jr. (Drive Nation), class of 2025 four-star guard Kiyan Anthony (Team Melo) and class of 2026 five-star small forward Tajh Ariza (WhyNot), in addition to the Boozer twins.

Class of 2026 prospects still can’t be directly contacted

While a lot of the focus during the grassroots season is on class of 2025 prospects as their recruitments kick into high gear, a key date is coming up for class of 2026 prospects.

College coaches are not allowed to directly contact recruits in the 2026 recruiting group until June 15.

Once that date arrives, college coaches from around the country will begin working the phones to try and establish relationships with players and their families in the hope of securing a commitment down the road.

2024 Nike EYBL schedule

▪ Session 1: Memphis (April 26-28)

▪ Session 2: Atlanta (May 3-5)

▪ Session 3: Indianapolis (May 17-19)

▪ Session 4: Kansas City (May 24-27)

▪ Peach Jam: North Augusta, South Carolina (July 13-21)

©2024 Lexington Herald-Leader. Visit kentucky.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

University of Houston

Texas A&M

PREVIEW: Houston Preps for #1 Texas A&M

4/22/2024 1:50:00 PM | Baseball

Cougars face nation’s best for first time since 2020, seeking first win since 2006

• Head Coach Todd Whitting spent seven seasons under Texas A&M Jim Schlossnagle at TCU (2004-10).
• Houston last faced the #1 team in the country in 2020 against Texas Tech in Round Rock, Texas, dropping the game 3-2.
• The Cougars' last win against the #1 team in the country came on May 12, 2006, against Rice in the series opener. Houston won the game 3-0.
• Alex Lopez and Anthony Tulimero had two of Huston's six hits in the 2023 meeting against Texas A&M in Houston. The Aggies won the game 5-1.
• Houston won the 2022 meeting in College Station, 8-2.
• Tulimero drove in the Cougars seventh run of the game in the 2022 win in College Station.
• This is the second-most played matchup in program history, tied with Sam Houston at 176 total meetings.
• Right-handed pitcher Dan Wright is coming off a career-best outing against Houston Christian spinning a career-long 6.0 scoreless innings with a career-high five strikeouts.
• The Cougars have scored five or more runs in 10 of the last 12 games and have recorded 10+ hits in nine of the last 10 games.
• Houston's 27 runs against Prairie View were the most since 1993 when the Cougars scored 27 against Illinois State and tied for the second-most runs scored in a game in program history.
• The Cougars have scored 20+ runs in two games this year after beating Southern 25-0 on Wednesday. It marks the first time Houston has scored 20+ in multiple games in the same season.
• Houston's 10-0 run-rule victory in eight innings was its first non-conference run-rule win since March 27, 2019 at Stephen F. Austin (W, 16-1 [7 inn.]).
• Freshman Conner Bennett made his second-career start and delivered his first extra-base hit and first RBI as a collegian on the first pitch he saw in the second inning against Houston Christian. Bennett then hit a pinch-hit grand slam against Southern for his first-career home run. Bennett ended the game a triple shy of the cylce with six RBI.
• Right-handed pitcher Owen Woodward twirled 4.1 perfect innings with a career-high 10 strikeouts against Texas on Friday before giving up his first hit. The righty then struck out the next batter grabbing his arm, exiting the game after delivering a strike the next at bat.
• Houston has hit multiple home runs in eight of the last nine games.
• Second baseman Harold Coll hit multiple home runs in Lubbock and is on a team-leading six-game hitting streak after notching his third three-hit game of the season. 
• The Cougars streak of hitting multiple home runs in seven consecutive games ended on Tuesday against Houston Christian.
• Houston's 10-game stretch not allowing a home run was snapped on Friday night at Texas Tech. The 10-game stretch is the second-longest in program history in the metal bat era.
• The Cougars snapped Lamar's Division I-leading 13-game winning streak with a 6-4 win on Tuesday. The Cardinals went on to sweep then #20 Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., over the weekend.
• The Cougars' conference opening sweep of Baylor was just the fourth conference opening series sweep by a Todd Whitting team (2024, 2018, 2013, 2011).
• Came from behind scoring six runs over the final four innings to win 8-5 over Cincinnati to salvage a game in the series.

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2024 Zurich Classic leaderboard, scores: Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry among leaders after Round 1

Mcilroy and lowry headline a crowded leaderboard as the competition moves to foursomes for friday.

There aren't many firsts left for Rory McIlroy to achieve in his PGA Tour career, but he checked one off the list Thursday at TPC Louisiana. Making his debut appearance in the Zurich Classic, the 34-year-old looked like the seasoned veteran he is alongside Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry. The two fired an 11-under 61 in the four-ball format amid the windy afternoon conditions to sit with the teams of Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard, Aaron Rai and David Lipsky and Ben Kohles and Patton Kizzire atop the leaderboard after Round 1.

While this week marks McIlroy's first attempt at claiming the PGA Tour's annual team event, it also represents his 11th start of the year as he continues to play through some relative early season struggles. McIlroy had no issues in the first round as he drove the ball beautifully, struck towering iron shots and picked apart the par-72 layout in unison with Lowry.

"You know that you sort of need to get off to a good start, and thankfully we did," McIlroy said. "We were 4 under through 4, which was really nice to see, and from there you've got some momentum and you're just trying to keep it going. But for the most part today, we kept both balls in play. We were having two looks basically on every hole at birdie, and that's the way you need to play better ball. Everyone thinks it's maybe a bit more gung ho than that, but as long as you have two balls in play off the tee, two balls on the green, I think you're always going to do pretty well in this format."

The two began their days with four birdies out the gate and tacked on a couple more to turn in 6-under 30. A birdie on No. 10 was followed with a disappointing par on the par-5 11th, but that did nothing to dampen their spirits. McIlroy struck his best iron of the day into the 12th when he feathered an 8 iron against the wind and to tap-in distance.

Rory McIlroy drops it close from 163 yards to set up birdie and move Lowry/McIlroy 8-under and three back. 🎯🤌 📺: Golf Channel & @peacock | @Zurich_Classic pic.twitter.com/Z4Bv95PD8m — Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) April 25, 2024

Lowry picked him up on the very next hole with a birdie of his own to get the team to 9 under and added another on the difficult par-3 14th to get to double digits under par. With four holes remaining, the two appeared likely to overtake the clubhouse lead, but a couple middling pars to go along with one last birdie on the par-5 18th meant there will be four teams sleeping on the lead tonight before the competition transitions to foursomes on Friday.

Let's take a look around the rest of the leaderboard after the first round in Louisiana.

The leaders

T1. Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry, David Lipsky/Aaron Rai, Ryan Brehm/Mark Hubbard, Ben Kohles/Patton Kizzire (-11)

Outside McIlroy and Lowry, the top of the leaderboard is surprising, to say the least. Hubbard has notched a couple top 20s, a top five and has yet to miss a cut this season while Rai has been solid, but the rest of the lot haven't seen the weekend with much consistency. Hubbard's teammate, Brehm, has seven missed cuts in 11 starts. Rai's teammate, Lipsky, has missed eight cuts in 11 starts and is without a top 40. Kizzire has six missed cuts and a withdrawal in nine starts, and Kohles has six missed cuts and a withdrawal in 11 starts. Four-ball can hide deficiencies, but the same cannot be said for foursomes, which will be played Friday and Sunday. 

"Just like usual, we ham-and-egged it," Hubbard said. "I don't think either of us were feeling amazing about our games coming into the day, but we just feed off each other really well. We relax each other out there, and best ball is just a fun format. I didn't putt great last week, but he had a lot of holes where he snuggled it up there nice and close for par and it really freed me up. You just kind of get confidence that way, and I think even you watching me make some putts gave you confidence and you poured them in at the end."

Other contenders

T5. Davis Thompson/Andrew Novak, Thomas Detry/Robert MacIntyre, Cameron Champ/MJ Daffue (-10) T8. Sam Stevens/Paul Barjon, Garrick Higgo/Ryan Fox, Luke List/Henrik Norlander, Corey Conners/Taylor Pendrith, Zac Blair/Patrick Fishburn, Marc Meissner/Austin Smotherman, Callium Tarren/David Skinns, Keith Mitchell/Joel Dahmen (-9)

Detry and MacIntyre got off to a dream start by playing their first four holes in 4 under. After hitting a lull, the two turned it on and carded six back-nine birdies to shoot 10-under 62. MacIntyre has the team experience from this past fall's Ryder Cup, while Detry has been enjoying a very solid 2024 campaign. The staying power of all these teams on this leaderboard is interesting given the volatility of foursomes, but the two Europeans should be up to the task.

I think it's about leaving each other to it," MacIntyre said regarding Friday's strategy. "We're both good players, both know what we're doing with the golf ball. It's just trusting each other. If I hit a good shot, you hit a good shot. If you hit a bad shot, don't say sorry, you're not meaning to do it. You just keep walking forward and keep trying to hit good shots and committing to them and see where we end up. Can't really do anything about it. It's difficult because you might not hit a 5-foot putt until the 17th hole. It's completely different. All you can do is try your best."

2024 Zurich Classic updated odds, picks

Odds via Sportsline consensus

• Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry: 13/5
• Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay: 10-1
• Aaron Rai/David Lipsky: 15-1
• Thomas Detry/Robert MacIntyre: 16-1
• Andrew Novak/David Thompson: 16-1
• Nick Taylor/Adam Hadwin: 18-1
• Corey Conners/Taylor Pendrith: 18-1
• Joel Dahmen/Keith Mitchell: 20-1

Let's roll with the 2022 champion at 10-1. Schauffele and Cantlay burned a ton of edges on Thursday but kept themselves in it with a late flurry of birdies. They now transition to foursomes for two of the next three days where they were dominant a year ago. In 2023, the two fired a 9-under 63 in Round 2 and a 6-under 66 in Round 4 in this format. If they card something similar in the mid 60s tomorrow, they should be in business heading into the weekend.

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