The Playbook For Youth Sports

Vertical Insure
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The Playbook for Youth Sports: The Business Side of the Game takes you behind the scenes of the youth sports industry. Hosted by Jennifer Peacock, EVP of Sports Partnerships at Vertical Insure, each episode brings candid conversations with club directors, tournament operators, and industry leaders shaping the future of youth sports.

Episodes

  1. Jan 28

    Listening Beyond the Scoreboard: How Sports Wellness Data Can Keep Kids in the Game

    What if youth sports organizations could spot burnout, disengagement, or harmful dynamics before kids quit or get hurt? In this episode of The Playbook for Youth Sports, Jennifer Peacock talks with Pamela Minix, founder of the Sports Wellness Platform, about how data-driven insights into mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being can transform the athlete experience. They explore why kids drop out of sports around ages 12–13, how organizations can identify early warning signs in real time, and how giving athletes (and parents) a true voice helps create healthier cultures, better coaching environments, and stronger long-term development. This conversation is a must-listen for any organization serious about putting athlete well-being first.

  2. 12/31/2025

    Unlocking Sports Tourism: How Sports ETA Helps Events Grow Beyond Their Backyard

    In this episode of The Playbook for Youth Sports, Jennifer Peacock sits down with John David, CEO of Sports ETA, to break down how sports tourism really works and why many event operators are leaving money, resources, and support on the table. They unpack how Sports ETA connects event owners with destinations, CVBs, and sports commissions to drive economic impact, secure sponsorships, reduce event costs, and elevate the overall event experience. From understanding the RFP process and accessing destination support, to navigating housing challenges and tracking economic impact, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the ecosystem that powers successful sports events. Whether you’re running tournaments locally or looking to expand into new markets, this episode provides clear, actionable insight into how working with destinations and leveraging Sports ETA can transform your event strategy.

  3. 12/10/2025

    Measuring What Matters: How SkillShark Turns Tryouts into Real Player Development

    In this episode of The Playbook for Youth Sports, Jennifer Peacock talks with Neil Anderson, CEO of SkillShark, about why the traditional pen-and-paper tryout is broken and what happens when clubs start treating evaluations as a development tool instead of a one-time sorting exercise. Neil shares how clubs can use data to run cleaner tryouts, give every athlete meaningful feedback, normalize coach scoring, and even auto-build balanced or ranked teams in minutes. From parent-friendly report cards and athlete self-assessments, to evaluation camps that double as fundraisers and integrations with major registration platforms, this conversation gives club leaders practical ways to save time, improve transparency, and keep more kids in sports by showing them how they’re actually growing.

  4. 11/26/2025

    Beyond Banners: How 3STEP Builds Partnerships That Truly Support Youth Sports

    In this episode of The Playbook for Youth Sports, Jennifer Peacock sits down with James Peterson, Director of Partnerships at 3STEP Sports, to break down what great sponsorships actually look like and how the right partner can elevate an entire club community. James shares real examples of high-impact partnerships, including creative event activations and long-standing collaborations, and explains why successful sponsorships are rooted in relationships, alignment, and shared purpose, not transactions. From pricing strategies to avoiding common pitfalls, this conversation gives club leaders practical takeaways they can use immediately to create sponsorships that drive revenue, engagement, and real community impact.

  5. 11/12/2025

    Turning Data into Decisions: How Demosphere Is Helping Clubs Grow Smarter

    Technology has transformed how clubs register players, manage finances, and communicate with families, but what’s next? In this episode of The Playbook for Youth Sports, Jennifer Peacock talks with Kris Baker, President of Demosphere, about how innovation, data, and AI are reshaping the youth sports experience. They discuss how Demosphere’s 36-year legacy has evolved from simple registration tools to advanced financial reporting and data visualization, why embedded protection like Registration Protection matters for clubs and parents, and how the next wave of technology can help make youth sports more transparent, efficient, and inclusive.

  6. 10/29/2025

    Taming the Admin Monster: How Focus on the Field Helps Clubs Run Like Pros

    Admin overload is crushing youth sports, but it doesn’t have to. Jennifer Peacock talks with Tyler Kreitz, CEO of Focus on the Field, about the “admin glut,” why professionalizing the delivery of youth sports (not the kids) is a net positive, and how outsourcing registration, communications, websites, and tech frees clubs to focus on coaching and community. Tyler shares real examples, pricing transparency, and quick wins (like building an operational calendar, cleaning up your P&L, and delivering player evaluations to boost retention) plus a candid take on educating parents to keep the sidelines positive. If you’ve ever wished for an “easy button” for club ops, this one’s for you.

  7. 10/14/2025

    Redefining Leadership in Youth Sports: Building Better Clubs with IYSL

    In this episode, Jennifer Peacock sits down with Scott Wollaston, Co-Founder of the Institute for Youth Sports Leaders (IYSL) and CEO of NC Fusion, to talk about what it really takes to build great organizations - not just great teams. Scott shares how IYSL is helping youth sports leaders grow through collaboration, self-assessment, and shared best practices across all sports. From redefining what makes a “good coach,” to shifting the focus from winning to developing people, this conversation dives into how better leadership at the top transforms the experience for athletes, families, and communities alike.

  8. 10/14/2025

    Leveling the Playing Field: How Zorts Is Using Tech to Keep Youth Sports Fair and Safe

    In this episode, Jennifer Peacock sits down with Spencer Grider, CEO of Zorts, to explore how the platform is tackling one of youth sports’ biggest problems - cheating and player identity fraud. Spencer shares the story behind Zorts ID and how facial recognition is helping event organizers verify players instantly, stop age fraud, and even improve safety at tournaments. They discuss the balance between competition and integrity, how technology can protect kids both on and off the field, and why the future of youth sports depends on trust, transparency, and innovation.

  • 8 Episodes

About

The Playbook for Youth Sports: The Business Side of the Game takes you behind the scenes of the youth sports industry. Hosted by Jennifer Peacock, EVP of Sports Partnerships at Vertical Insure, each episode brings candid conversations with club directors, tournament operators, and industry leaders shaping the future of youth sports.

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