From Izell Reese, CEO, RCX Sports
A Moment to Reflect
As we wrap up the year, I keep coming back to the same thought: every day, somewhere in the country, a kid tries something new. A shy player finds their confidence. A friendship forms that lasts a lifetime.
Sports create those moments in a way few things can and we are fortunate to help make them happen.
Nearly One Million Kids, Each With Their Own Story
This year, nearly one million young athletes participated in RCX Sports programs—part of the 3.5 million kids who have played with us since 2019.
The growth is meaningful. But what matters most is that more young people are finding a place where they feel welcome, supported, and excited to show up.
Reaching More Communities, Together
We provide these opportunities because of partners who believe in what sport can bring to a community. Parks and recreation departments, school districts, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, Police Athletic Leagues (PALs), and public safety organizations ensure that access is available close to home.
This year, we saw statewide Parks & Recreation partnerships grow across Indiana and Missouri, expansions with YMCA teams in Massachusetts and Illinois, and Boys & Girls Clubs opening new pathways into hockey through NHL STREET™. Pop Warner helped introduce even more families to the excitement of flag football. And our continued collaboration with the National Recreation and Park Association is bringing MLS GO to new soccer beginners nationwide.
When we align effort with purpose, we unlock opportunities that no one organization could deliver alone, and we are grateful for every partner who shares that belief.
Programs Designed for Every Kind of Player
Across every sport we support, the goal is simple: create a positive first experience and a place where kids want to come back.
- NFL FLAG continued to reach more kids in more places, especially through school-based play and expanded community access. Girls’ flag football participation reached an all-time high, reflecting a pathway that is becoming more real every day. From the Super Bowl commercial spotlight to ongoing progress toward NCAA recognition, the future of the sport has never felt closer.
- MLS GO strengthened its foundation of access and affordability, launching alongside statewide Parks & Recreation partners and bringing soccer to neighborhoods where the sport hasn’t always been easy to play.
- Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Leagues invested in coach support and consistent programming, helping young athletes take their first steps onto the court with confidence and giving families a true community experience.
- NHL STREET™ continued to redefine hockey access, growing pilots with Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs. Kids picked up sticks for the first time in gyms, parking lots, and rec centers—places where hockey has rarely had a home.
- And MLB Pitch, Hit & Run delivered another big year, as 42,556 kids competed across the country, stepped onto Major League ballparks, and saw their journeys lead all the way to the World Series.
Different sports, different communities, one purpose: ensuring every child has a place they belong and a sport they can love for life.
The People Who Make It Happen
The real backbone of youth sports is the people who show up long before game time. More than 2,000 league operators—supported by coaches, volunteers, officials, and families—put in the work that most never see: lining fields, organizing schedules, managing equipment, and creating experiences that bring communities together.
Your dedication turns a simple game into something kids look forward to all week, and that impact lasts far beyond the season.
We are so incredibly grateful for everything you do.
Looking Forward With Purpose
In the year ahead, we’ll continue building on this momentum, expanding access, strengthening support for operators, and creating more opportunities for kids to fall in love with sport.
That work starts right away. In January, we’ll gather in Orlando with leaders from the NFL, NBA/WNBA, MLS, NHL, MLB, USTA, and hundreds of partners and operators at the Next Play Summit Presented by TeamSnap ONE. It’s a chance to learn from one another, celebrate what’s working, and push ourselves to deliver an even better experience for the families we serve.
Because the future of youth sports doesn’t happen from the sidelines—it happens when we get in the room together and build what’s next.
Thank You for Believing in This Mission
Whether you organized a league, coached a team, volunteered your time, or cheered from the sideline, you played an important part in a child’s experience this year. And to every young athlete who tried something new or worked hard to improve—we’re proud of you.
Thank you for making this year our best yet.
Warmly,
Izell Reese
