The 2025 NRPA Annual Conference in Orlando brought thousands of parks and recreation professionals together to share ideas and swap stories about what’s working in their communities. For RCX Sports, it was a chance to listen, learn, and talk about one challenge we all face: how to keep kids active and families engaged year after year.
Our panel, How to Execute Multi-Sport Programming That Keeps Families Coming Back, featured leaders from Rockford Park District, the New Orleans Saints & Pelicans, USTA, and RCX Sports. Together, they shared real examples of programs that are making a difference.
Why Multi-Sport Matters
The discussion started with the basics: giving kids access to more than one sport helps them build stronger skills, avoid burnout, and stay connected to their community. With parks and recreation departments already reaching more than 40 million youth each year, panelists emphasized the opportunity to expand access and build equity through sport
“The theme for offering multi-sport programming is about the experience,” said Joe Lecessi, VP of League Success at RCX Sports. “If you can make it a seamless, positive experience—from registration, to coach and referee support, to parent communication and off-season community building—you can create a participation base that will continue to come back season after season.”
Building Programs Through Partnerships
Lamont Jones, Youth Sports General Manager at Rockford Park District, shared how partnerships turned a small program into something much bigger. NFL FLAG started in Rockford with 163 kids. Today, more than 780 athletes play each year. Along the way, the district built strong ties with the Chicago Bears, hosting training camp trips, autograph dinners, and even Soldier Field showcases for girls’ flag football. That momentum has carried into Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Leagues, and USTA tennis, with the common thread being strong relationships, branding, and coach support.
“For all our youth sports, there’s a pro experience,” Jones said. “The athletes aren’t just walking around—they’re truly engaged with the kids.”
Breaking Down Barriers
Elicia Broussard Sheridan, Senior Director with the New Orleans Saints & Pelicans, highlighted the role professional teams can play in widening access. From providing uniforms and equipment to creating unforgettable gameday moments, she explained how the Saints and Pelicans use their platform to inspire kids and families while making programs more inclusive.
“We start by building relationships first,” she said. “Through resources, experiences, and exposure, we use basketball and football to develop the whole athlete, not just the player on the court or field.”
Early Access and Athlete-Centered Coaching
Karl Davies, Director of Curriculum Development and Certifications at USTA, described how tennis can be an entry point for multi-sport development. By starting in schools and recreation centers with modified equipment, USTA lowers the barrier for kids to try something new. Pairing that with athlete-focused coach education helps keep kids engaged across sports.
“A lot of youth are now specializing in a single sport, which isn’t great,” Davies said. “The solution is multi-sport play. It keeps kids healthier and more engaged.”
Conversations Beyond the Panel
Throughout the week, we also had the chance to connect with thousands of industry leaders who stopped by to swap ideas and design their own custom RCX Sports hats. Those conversations—about challenges, opportunities, and what’s working in local communities—were just as valuable as the panel itself.
A Real-World Example
The ideas shared in Orlando are already happening on the ground in places like New York City. Ronald Lashley, Community Coordinator with NYC Parks, oversees leagues that serve more than 1,000 kids across the boroughs. For him, the pro league connection makes all the difference.
“When kids put on an NFL FLAG or Jr. Knicks jersey, they’re not just joining a team—they’re stepping into something bigger,” he said. “The excitement of being tied to the pros motivates them to stay involved, and for parents, it creates a real sense of community.”
Through partnerships with the Jets and Knicks, NYC Parks provides free programming, covers equipment costs, and gives kids opportunities like regional tournaments and national championship trips. It’s a model that reflects exactly what the NRPA panel emphasized: partnerships, consistency, and programs designed for families.
Looking Ahead
From Orlando to New York City, the lesson is clear: multi-sport programming works. By giving kids more entry points and connecting families to the excitement of the pros—NFL FLAG, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Leagues, NHL STREET™, MLS GO, MLB Pitch Hit & Run, and USTA—communities can grow participation, build equity, and deliver youth sports that keep families coming back year after year.
“When you couple the powerful impact that parks and recreation program operators have in their local communities with the power behind the pro sports brands we work with at RCX Sports, it creates a truly special experience for kids and families,” Lecessi added. “There’s nothing cooler than watching a kid get their NFL FLAG jersey and seeing their excitement—knowing you’ve created a special moment for that child.”
