Harvey Norman supporting the Next Generation of Sporting Champions.
This month, Harvey Norman and Sky News visited Mount Gambier, South Australia, for the latest episode of ‘Our Town’.
As the proud Gold Sponsor of the Sports Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF), now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Harvey Norman is committed to supporting Australian athletes on and off the field. Through the SAHOF Scholarship & Mentoring Program, together we empower emerging athletes to reach their full potential-not just in sport, but in life.
Now in its 18th year, the program has seen 236 athletes across 56 sports receive scholarships and 70 SAHOF Members serve as one-on-one mentors, with many aspiring athletes gone on to represent Australia successfully at Olympic/Paralympic and World Championship level.
With support from the Australian Sports Commission, Australian Institute of Sport and Harvey Norman, the program awards $150,000 annually to 32 rising stars through a prestigious three-tiered structure, with all scholars benefiting from 12–14 months of support, including access to legendary Australian athletes for guidance on everything from media training, social media workshops and injury recovery to balancing life and sport.
SAHOF Chair John Bertrand AO shared the program’s vision; to preserve the legacy of Australian sport while inspiring the next generation of athletes to reach their full potential both in their sporting careers and in life and facing their fears on the world stage. He spoke about how Mentors don’t coach technique in their sport (that’s the coaches’ job), they offer life advice, career insights, and personal support that helps athletes grow as individuals.
We were honoured to hear from Tayte Ryan, a South Australian standout young track cyclist and Tier 1 Scholarship recipient for 2025. Mentored by Winter Olympic gold medallist Steven Bradbury OAM, Tayte has already achieved remarkable success, including a world title and recognition as SASI’s Junior Male Athlete of the Year and Commonwealth Games Australia’s Emerging Athlete of the Year. Tayte credits the program-and Steven’s mentorship- as life-changing.
Former SAHOF mentor and Paralympic legend Louise Sauvage OAM summed it up beautifully:
“You get really involved. You see your mentees succeed, offer your advice, and guide them not just as athletes but as people. It’s incredibly fulfilling.”
To learn more about the Scholarship and Mentoring program visit sahof.org.au
This program is brought to you by Harvey Norman Shopping Store and online. Best brands, best range, best prices guaranteed. 10 out of 1010 out of 10, Harvey Norman, of course the admiration that we are able to go around the country and with their enthusiasm we do so we're Mount Gambier in SA tonight. We also know they have an endless passion. No matter what country town you're from, what big city you might live near or in, if you have a future in sport, there is a massive chance you are going to get a boost from Harvey Norman somewhere along the way. Harvey Norman's legacy of supporting Australian athletes is unparalleled and they've gone and done it again. They're now the new Gold Sponsor of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, an incredible organization which recognises and honours some of our nation's greatest athletes. Sitting at the heart of this new partnership is the prestigious Scholar and Mentoring program, an incredible initiative which has now been running for more than 18 years. It's an ongoing program over a 12 month period, being interesting enough, of course our. You know, these relationships continue well beyond. Our vision was to inspire the next generation of young Australians to achieve their potential both in sport and in life. And that's really where the scholarship program came from. Each year, the mentoring program awards $150,000 in funding to 32 emerging athletes through a three tiered scholarship program, all benefiting from 12 to 14 months of support, including access to legendary Aussie athletes. Dawn Fraser and Susie O'Neill for guidance and mentorship. How do we select these young people from all around the country? You know, it's it's attitude and it's passion. 1/3 of the of the scholarship holders have mentors assigned to them. And the other sections, they don't have mentors because it's, you know, it's difficult to coordinate everything. But we have terrific programs during the year, which is online in particular because these, you know, these young people are in a lot of cases competing all around the world. And it's a question and answer opportunity with some of our, you know, various mentors that we have. One of the recipients of the tier one scholarship is track cyclist Tate Ryan, who's one of SA's athletes to watch as he sets records both here. And around the world, for me, it was such a huge honor to, you know, get get the tier one scholarship like I applied for it. Yeah, and I was, I was just really, really grateful. There's always workshops we can attend, you know, for social media workshops, media training, all that kind of stuff that they organize for us. You know, there's an enormous amount of funding that we can access, which is a huge help as well, as well as the mentoring program, which is invaluable. We have our members from different sports to the to the scholarship holders. Not telling these kids how to jump higher or run faster. That's the coaches job. But coming from other sports, it's really. To talk to them about facing their fears on the world stage. And not many people can talk about that unless you've been there and done it. You don't need to be in the same sport. The advice that they give and the situations that occur is transparent between sports. It's coming up from juniors where I was really successful. It's, it's been a big step to come into the elite ranks and, you know, try to be as successful as possible. With Zahav supporting me, you know, it's, it's helped me so much. Like I don't have, I don't have to think twice about going over to an international competition now because I've just got the support there. The. College, that's the members have of being, you know, athletes. It's just, it's priceless and for to share that with future generations is just brilliant. I love coaching. I love being part of someone else's journey, helping them to achieve their goals. It's it's very rewarding and satisfying and, and just being part of that journey is is brilliant. It's great for us to also learn from other athletes in different sports and see the similarities as well. It's really pairing up what we think is going to be that of value for these young people with the type of. Athletes, former athletes, retired athletes that we have the role of the mentor is, is, is it's lifelong almost. I mean, talking to some of the mentors with their mentees, the, the relationship lasts longer than the period that it does. And you get really involved with those people and want to see them succeed. And you know, you would definitely somebody that they can lean on and go to for advice or just to have a chat and to, you know, get off your chest whatever's going on. Sports make sure that the mentorship really focuses on the scholar's personal growth as an athlete rather than fixating on technique, which is obviously the job of a coach. Luckily enough, Tate has been paired with the Olympic winter gold medalist and iconic Aussie speed skater, our mate Steve Bradbury. I really, really, really look forward to working with Steve, you know, in, in the future and hopefully beyond this program as well, just in, you know, as I develop and grow as a person and an athlete and how I can balance uni. Of working with training and everything like that. I've been talking to him a lot about self belief and you know, how to, you know, believe in myself when you know, training gets hard, racing gets hard or when I'm not feeling my best. It's been really awesome. You know, he's, he's got such an incredible story and has such a such a great insight into sport and high performance behaviors and everything like that. Sport is embedded in Australian culture and Harvey Norman have been pivotal in supporting our athletes reach the elite stages of their careers. Their new partnership with the Sport Australia Hall of Fame is so powerful in helping athletes achieve their full potential both on and off the field.
India’s Olympic Dream: A Decade of Preparation, Not Just Aspiration
Carl Lewis’ reflections on India’s Olympic dream felt like both an endorsement and a challenge — hosting the Games is a declaration of national intent. But as he said, that intent must be supported by systems that genuinely deliver for athletes, not just create headlines.
If the conversation around an Olympic bid is gaining ground, it’s worth remembering that we have walked this road before. The 2010 Commonwealth Games gave us valuable lessons in infrastructure, logistics, and scale. Despite shortcomings, there were milestones in athlete performance & public engagement with sport. Even Paris 2024, with all its global experience, faced challenges in readiness and delivery. The true measure of progress is not perfection, but how we learn and improve each time.
China’s journey offers a powerful parallel — from modest beginnings to the world-class spectacle of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, achieved through decades of planning, athlete development, and national pride born of a clear long-term vision
For India, the Olympics can be a similar turning point — if we treat the next 10 years as a preparation window, not a countdown. Here’s how we can structure our journey:
Immediate (0-12 months)
• Governance and readiness: Establish independent audit and oversight systems for all Games-related planning and budgeting.
• Protect athlete priorities: Ringfence funds for grassroots programs and athlete development, not just infrastructure or catering to the cream.
• Athlete support systems: Introduce mental-health counsellors and mentoring frameworks to build resilience and safety.
Short-Term (1–3 years)
• Talent pipeline: Strengthen school-to-sport pathways, grassroots scouting and competitions, and community coaching networks.
• Institutional capacity: Develop regional high-performance hubs/Centres od Excellence and enhance coach education programs.
• Transparency: Ensure third-party monitoring and fair procurement processes to maintain public trust.
Long-Term (3–10 years)
• Sustainable infrastructure: Build multi-use, community-accessible stadia & ensure maintenance budgets are secured.
• Public–private partnerships: Design funding models with clear KPIs, athlete-centric spending & legacy outcomes.
• Cultural shift: Embed values of discipline, ethics, anti-doping - emphasis on performance over showmanship
An Olympic bid should scream intent and genuine belief. With foresight, honesty, and commitment, India can make the Games a turning point — strengthening our sports systems, inspiring communities, and opening new doors for growth and global connection
The real question is: Can we channel our ambition into a decade of consistent preparation and integrity?
Would love to hear from you — is India ready to host, and more importantly, ready to sustain the Olympic dream?
#olympicIndia #SportsauthorityofIndia#sportsdevelopment#grassroots#fitindiamovement
When discussions arise about APS Sport, the narrative often centres on Australian Rules Football and understandably so. The APS has long stood as a cornerstone of the game’s history, producing exceptional athletes who have gone on to represent the sport at the highest level. Yet, the true measure of APS Sport extends far beyond the boundaries of AFL. It lies in the breadth of its programs, the diversity of its opportunities, and the excellence it fosters across multiple sporting disciplines.
A recent example of this can be seen through the achievements of six APS representatives: Nicolas Barton (Xavier College), Zac Kwee (Haileybury), Cooper Taranto and Zander Nagy (Melbourne Grammar School), Steph Engelbrecht (St Kevin's College), and Lachlan Collett (Brighton Grammar School). Who proudly represented Touch Football Victoria at the 2025 National Youth Championships (NYC) in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.
These athletes competed as part of the U14 and U16 Storm teams, facing some of the strongest regional representatives from Queensland and New South Wales, as well as state teams from Western Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT. Their participation not only demonstrated athletic capability, but also reflected the dedication, sportsmanship, and leadership values that are synonymous with APS Sport.
While AFL has historically been a defining feature of the APS identity, it is essential to acknowledge that our schools consistently cultivate talent and excellence across all codes from team sports such as Touch Football, Soccer, and Rowing, to individual pursuits such as Athletics and Swimming. Each program plays a vital role in developing the next generation of athletes, leaders, and well-rounded individuals.
The success of these six students is a testament to the holistic approach that underpins APS Sport. Beyond competition, the APS system is designed to nurture character, resilience, and collaboration ensuring that each student-athlete learns to balance ambition with integrity, and performance with purpose.
Recognising achievements across all sporting disciplines is integral to the continued growth of APS Sport. It reinforces the understanding that excellence is not confined to one code, but rather is a reflection of a broader commitment to education through sport, where every opportunity, every game, and every representation matters.
Congratulations to Nicolas, Zac, Cooper, Zander, Steph, and Lachlan on their outstanding representation, and to their respective schools, coaches, and families for supporting their development. Their success reflects the very best of what APS Sport strives to achieve, unity through competition, excellence through opportunity, and leadership through example.
🎬 Running Into Regulation:
Zimbabwe’s New Athletics License Fees Spark Debate
By Charles Zuze | Curated for: Prospera Mindtrust
Starting 1 January 2026, every athlete in Zimbabwe—whether elite or recreational—will be required to pay an annual license fee of USD 7.00 to participate in any athletic event. This includes fun runs, social jogs, and competitive races. The fee incorporates a USD 4.00 levy from the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC). For those without an annual license, a temporary license will cost USD 10.00.
This announcement, issued by the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ), has stirred a mix of curiosity, concern, and calls for clarity. The cinematic tension is palpable: runners at the starting line, hearts pounding—not just from adrenaline, but from the weight of new regulations.
🧠 Questions We Must Ask
- Is this a good thing?
Will the fees help fund better infrastructure, coaching, and safety—or will they discourage participation, especially among grassroots runners?
- Are other countries doing this?
Globally, licensing systems exist—mostly for athlete agents or elite competitors. But mandatory fees for recreational runners remain rare. This move places Zimbabwe in a unique spotlight.
- How will this impact social running?
Community wellness events, charity runs, and spontaneous group jogs may now face bureaucratic hurdles. Will this stifle the organic joy of movement?
---
🌍 Global Context:
A Rare Model?
While World Athletics mandates licensing for athlete representatives, few countries extend such fees to everyday runners. In South Africa, for example, club membership often includes a license for competitive events—but social runners are largely exempt. In Europe, federations focus on elite compliance, not casual participation.
Zimbabwe’s model could be pioneering—or polarizing.
---
💬 Voices from the Track
Organizers, coaches, and wellness facilitators now face a choice:
- Comply and educate, ensuring every runner understands the new system.
- Advocate for reform, especially if the fees create barriers for marginalized communities.
- Innovate, by creating sponsorship models or subsidized licenses for youth and low-income runners.
---
✊ What Prospera Mindtrust Stands For
At Prospera, we believe in strategic clarity, emotional healing, and community empowerment. This moment calls for all three. Whether you're a coach, a runner, or a wellness advocate, your voice matters.
Let’s turn this regulation into a conversation—and a catalyst for deeper reform.
---
📣 Join the Dialogue
Share your thoughts:
- Should social runners be exempt?
- How can we ensure transparency in how these fees are used?
- What role should wellness communities play in shaping athletic policy?
Use the hashtag #RunWithPurposeZW and tag @ProsperaMindtrust to keep the conversation alive.
🎬 Running Into Regulation:
Zimbabwe’s New Athletics License Fees Spark Debate
By Charles Zuze | Curated for: Prospera Mindtrust
Starting 1 January 2026, every athlete in Zimbabwe—whether elite or recreational—will be required to pay an annual license fee of USD 7.00 to participate in any athletic event. This includes fun runs, social jogs, and competitive races. The fee incorporates a USD 4.00 levy from the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC). For those without an annual license, a temporary license will cost USD 10.00.
This announcement, issued by the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ), has stirred a mix of curiosity, concern, and calls for clarity. The cinematic tension is palpable: runners at the starting line, hearts pounding—not just from adrenaline, but from the weight of new regulations.
🧠 Questions We Must Ask
- Is this a good thing?
Will the fees help fund better infrastructure, coaching, and safety—or will they discourage participation, especially among grassroots runners?
- Are other countries doing this?
Globally, licensing systems exist—mostly for athlete agents or elite competitors. But mandatory fees for recreational runners remain rare. This move places Zimbabwe in a unique spotlight.
- How will this impact social running?
Community wellness events, charity runs, and spontaneous group jogs may now face bureaucratic hurdles. Will this stifle the organic joy of movement?
---
🌍 Global Context:
A Rare Model?
While World Athletics mandates licensing for athlete representatives, few countries extend such fees to everyday runners. In South Africa, for example, club membership often includes a license for competitive events—but social runners are largely exempt. In Europe, federations focus on elite compliance, not casual participation.
Zimbabwe’s model could be pioneering—or polarizing.
---
💬 Voices from the Track
Organizers, coaches, and wellness facilitators now face a choice:
- Comply and educate, ensuring every runner understands the new system.
- Advocate for reform, especially if the fees create barriers for marginalized communities.
- Innovate, by creating sponsorship models or subsidized licenses for youth and low-income runners.
---
✊ What Prospera Mindtrust Stands For
At Prospera, we believe in strategic clarity, emotional healing, and community empowerment. This moment calls for all three. Whether you're a coach, a runner, or a wellness advocate, your voice matters.
Let’s turn this regulation into a conversation—and a catalyst for deeper reform.
---
📣 Join the Dialogue
Share your thoughts:
- Should social runners be exempt?
- How can we ensure transparency in how these fees are used?
- What role should wellness communities play in shaping athletic policy?
Use the hashtag #RunWithPurposeZW and tag @ProsperaMindtrust to keep the conversation alive.
Marketing Leader I Partnership Developer I Event Manager I Communication Strategist I Sport Business Analyst to the Media I Award-Winning Educator I Spanish Learner I Driven Go-Getter I Legacy Creator
Advancing the Canadian 🇨🇦 sport industry is important, so I'm delighted to share 📣 the latest data on Canadian Gen Z's relationship with sport, courtesy of my marketing students at Schulich School of Business - York University
The results reveal insights into fandom, participation, and media consumption that sport properties, media & sponsors should consider 📌
My cohort has 37 students, ages 20 & 21:
🚩 70% female (26), 30% male (11)
🚩 46% (17) are South Asian, the largest ethnic group - just as in Canada 🇨🇦
🚩 70% are visible minority (26) - overindexing the visible minority population of Toronto (49%)
⚽️ 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 (18, 49%) followed by basketball (16, 43%), auto racing (9, 24%), hockey (7, 19%), and "I don't watch sporting events" (5, 14%)
🏎️ 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 over the last two terms, achieving its highest number ever (9)
❌ The number of 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 (5) reached its highest number ever
⚽️ 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 (12, 32%), followed by basketball (11, 30%), volleyball (9, 24%), badminton (8, 22%) & tennis (7, 19%). The sports in the top five have remained the same for three straight terms, while volleyball increased for the third-straight term
🏆 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙙 (28) is up eight from winter 2025 and higher than fall 2024 (25)
🏀 𝙏𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 (13, 35%), ahead of "No favourite team" (7, 19%), Toronto Maple Leafs (4, 11%), and Scuderia Ferrari (4 11%). Overall, 30 teams were mentioned, down eight from winter 2025
❌ The 𝙣𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 rose from winter 2025, and reached its highest number ever (7)
📺 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙏𝙑 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩i𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 (18, 49%) followed by streaming service (8, 22%), social media (5, 14%), and "I don't watch sporting events" (5, 14%). Streaming platforms have increased over the last two terms
📺 𝙏𝙑 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 (18, 49%), followed by mobile phone (9, 24%), "I don't watch sports" (5, 14%), and notebook computer (4, 11%). Mobile phone increased from winter 2025
🌐 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙨 & 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤 (23, 62%) followed by website (6, 16%), "I don't consume sports news/info" (4, 11%) and TV (3, 8%). Social media took first for the first time
MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership)Bell MediaRogers Sports & MediaCBCKaan YigitCanada Soccerr Formula 1National Basketball Association (NBA)
⚽ The Invisible Side of Football: Building Values Before Victories
As a student in Sports Management, I’ve come to realize through recent lectures and conferences that psychology and philosophy in football are not abstract ideas – they are the foundation of long-term success.
The creation of successful athletes, leaders, and teams begins with the development of a strong value system. Respect, courage, honesty, teamwork, empathy, and ambition are not just words, they are the core pillars that shape individuals and entire organizations.
During our lectures with professionals from FK Bodø/Glimt, I was inspired by how deeply human values are embedded in their club structure. Every person, from players to management, has the freedom to share new ideas, and communication flows through every level of the organization. They also shared how important it is to nurture the relationship between professional players and youth academies – creating motivation, care, and belonging among young athletes.
Тhe goal is not just to produce players, but to build character. Sport becomes a tool for life – teaching values, teamwork, and emotional control that go far beyond the pitch.
Another example that inspired me is SL Benfica, where the main objective is to develop people, not just footballers. The club seeks players who think differently like individuals with values, education, and mental resilience. They combine football and learning, because true talent extends beyond the field.
As the famous sports psychologist Gennaro Testa said:
“Football is a place to build values. Even if you lose, give your best – that’s how you grow.”
Every successful club I’ve studied has one thing in common:
They look for players and staff with values and a specific mindset.
My main insights:
👉 Trust your people.
👉 Give them freedom.
👉 Encourage innovation.
👉 Communicate openly.
👉 Keep learning – and stay curious.
Because before trophies come values – and that’s where true success begins.
#SportsManagement#FootballPhilosophy#Leadership#Teamwork#PersonalGrowth#SportsPsychology#FootballValues
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) has announced a new partnership with Athletic Solutions to sponsor the “A Game” Scholar Award and serve as the exclusive NIL store endorsed by the MIAA.
Athletic Solutions partners with over 400 universities, high schools, clubs, and corporate accounts to offer an e-commerce solution that allows fans to shop for their favorite team, athletes, and club apparel. They also offer opportunities for student-athletes in the NIL space by creating custom online stores that generate revenue through merchandise sales.
“Athletic Solutions’ mission has always been and will continue to be to create NIL opportunities for all athletes at all schools, and not just the ‘five-star’ athlete. Through our patent-pending software, we can merge products and design selections with all licensed athletes on a roster to create an incredible store with unprecedented selection for all athletes,” said Tom Feiden, Athletic Solutions President and CEO.
“We are proud to be the exclusive NIL store for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, providing all athletes in the MIAA with their own NIL locker rooms!”
MIAA's "A Game” Scholar Award will be presented exclusively by Athletic Solutions. This award will honor the male and female student-athletes with the top GPA competing at each of the MIAA's 16 championships.
“We are excited to work with Athletic Solutions on this new partnership,” said MIAA Director for Student-Athlete Development, Taylor Savolt. “Their dedication to elevating the student-athlete experience through high-quality merchandise and NIL opportunities makes them a perfect partner in recognizing the academic and athletic achievements of our student-athletes.”
𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 — 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸?
In our last post, we explored the Talent Matrix in youth football, a useful framework for discussing how we identify young players. It is built on two key dimensions:
1️⃣ Current Performance
2️⃣ Future Potential
Combining these two – classified as either high or low – creates four distinct player profiles:
1️⃣ Low Performance / Low Potential
2️⃣ Low Performance / High Potential
3️⃣ High Performance / Low Potential
4️⃣ High Performance / High Potential
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
Profile 1: Low Performance / Low Potential
This group generally poses no risk for professional academies. These players are neither showing strong ability today nor projecting strong growth for tomorrow. Naturally, clubs and scouts do not select them for elite pathways.
And that is perfectly fine.
Football should offer space for everyone. Players in this profile can still thrive in amateur structures where the focus is on:
• Enjoyment of the game
• Team culture and friendships
• A lifelong active lifestyle
Not every player needs a professional environment, and not every young athlete should be placed in one, especially not the players with profile 1.
⚽ Why This Matters
Understanding that Profile 1 is not the problem helps us focus on where the real risks in the Talent Matrix lie in regards to talent identifcation.
In the next post, we’ll explore those risks and why many academies may be unintentionally overlooking true high-potential players.
#footballanalysis#strategicmanagement#football
Source: Der Goldminen-Effekt by Ankersen
Celtic and JD hold community coaching day at Barrowfield
To celebrate their new long-term partnership, JD and Celtic joined forces for a community coaching event, at the newly inaugurated Barrowfield Training Centre, highlighting a shared commitment to youth development, grassroots football, and local community engagement, reinforcing their passion for shaping the future of the game.
Today (Friday), 100 young players, boys and girls aged 3-12, hit the brand-new Barrowfield Training Centre for a bespoke coaching session led by Celtic, bringing together talent from the Celtic Soccer Academy and the local community.
The atmosphere got even livelier, the moment Celtic players Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Anthony Ralston, Morgan Cross and Adelaide Gay made their surprise appearance.
Jumping straight into drills and matches, and photos moments, while DJs spun beats. A day packed with energy, smiles, and unforgettable moments.
Closing out an unforgettable day, the young players were recognised with certificates, gifts, and a special Q&A with the Celtic coaches, who dropped plenty of pro tips and inspiration.
Following the successful event, Joseph Simpson, Head of Partnerships at JD said: “We are so pleased to commit to a further long-term association with Celtic, one of the world’s great football clubs.
“We’ve strengthened our ongoing partnership with this iconic club, and today was all about celebrating their brand-new Women’s and Academy training facility — a space dedicated to these players.”
As part of this fantastic extended partnership announced today, JD will connect with Celtic’s Soccer Academy to deliver a further range of kids’ community football programmes, to be hosted at Barrowfield, inspiring the next generation to follow in the footsteps of so many Celtic greats.
Today marked just the first of many initiatives designed to bring the club, sport, and community even closer together, underpinned by JD’s ongoing efforts, to drive youth Forever Forward.
A club spokesperson said: “Everyone at Celtic Football Club is delighted to agree this fantastic new long-term arrangement with JD Sports which will ensure we continue our long-standing relationship with a leading sports brand with such huge presence across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.
“JD’s commitment to the club will now extend for a number of years and we are so pleased to continue to work with such a high-quality partner.
“We are pleased too that JD will be making this commitment to our wider community through a range of really exciting programmes, an area of the club’s work which they have already supported in Ireland.”
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗼𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🏊♀️
Women's triathlon has quietly undergone a cultural revolution. The old "more for you means less for me" mentality has been replaced by something unprecedented: genuine friendship among elite competitors.
I was just reading about athletes like Lucy Charles-Barclay and Marjolaine Pierre, where Pierre openly credits training with her direct competitor for boosting her confidence before placing fourth at Ironman World Championship. Similarly, India Lee describes how Kat Matthews included her in the Sub8 challenge during a confidence crisis, fundamentally shifting her self-belief.
The structural changes driving this shift to be fascinating. New series-based events like the T100 Tour mean athletes spend more time together outside race day pressure. They're seeing each other as humans, not just competitors. Training camps, shared coaches and Netflix binges after brutal sessions.
This isn't about being nice. It's about understanding that collaboration creates better competition. These friendships are raising the level of competition, not softening it.
The mindset shift is profound. When Jackie Hering saw competitor Sarah True struggling during a recent race, she took a moment to encourage her, reminding Sarah that she is indeed an Olympian. True found her strength, surged ahead, and went on to beat her.
In the old model, that would be a lesson learned: never help a competitor again. But Hering says she'd do it again. She'd rather lose to the best version of Sarah True than win against someone who's struggling. That's the cultural revolution: from 'win at any cost' to 'may the best version of all of us win.'
This mirrors broader generational changes in how we approach success. Millennials and Gen Z reject the scarcity mindset that dominated previous eras. They understand that lifting others often lifts yourself.
For sports brands this represents a fundamental shift. Instead of selling the myth of the lone champion, this is a chance to embrace the truth that nobody wins alone. Celebrate the training partners, the rivals who push you and the networks that create excellence. The story isn't just about individual greatness.
And I think that’s something worth watching.
“May the best version of all of us win.”
Link to the full interview below and photo credits from Instagram: @aliceg_alberts
Senior Marketing Leader | mMBA in Marketing | Harvey Norman
3moThings you love to see 👏