Leaders in Youth Sports Conference

Schedule, Topics & Presenters

DAY 1: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2025

2025-02-16

Hotel & Conference Check In

Hotel check-in: 3:00-5:30pm.

Conference check-in: 5:00-6:15pm

Members receive workshop materials and a gift from Soccer.com/431 Sports.

2025-02-16

2025-02-16

Introducing IYSL's Inner Circle & Leadership Framework

6:30-6:45pm.

David Newbery and Scott Wollaston (IYSL) will open the conference by unveiling our exceptional Inner Circle membership and introducing the ‘Leadership Circles’ framework. They will also outline the goals for this unique event, which is designed to engage participants in fresh, innovative ways of thinking. From the outset, the format will promote meaningful discussions and connect best practices, setting the stage for a dynamic, action-driven agenda.

2025-02-16

2025-02-16

Leadership Circles

6:50-7:10pm.

Our Leadership Circles kicks off with an networking activity using profile cards. Members will engage in discussions, sharing best practices, common challenges, and exploring unique future opportunities. This collaborative environment encourages open dialogue, enhancing knowledge exchange and strengthening our connections.
2025-02-16

2025-02-16

Advancing Youth Sports: A Preview of IYSL’s Mission and Impact

7:10-7:30pm.

David and Scott will introduce Institute for Youth Sports Leaders (IYSL), highlighting conference goals, the future of Leadership Circles, and club assessment. They'll outline the event schedule, unique workshop format, and feature guest speakers, setting the stage for impactful learning, collaboration, and the advancement of youth sports leadership.

2025-02-16

2025-02-16

Networking Social Event

7:30-9:00pm

Take advantage to connect with colleagues while enjoying a complimentary drink and snacks. This is the first of several networking events. 

Social sponsored by Soccer.com, 431 Sports, PlayMetrics, Kwik Goal, EOS, Biz Niche, Club Capital & 365 Sports.

2025-02-16

DAY 2: MONDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2025

2025-02-17

Breakfast

7:00-8:30am in Hotel Breakfast Room

Hotel guests are invited to kick off their day with a delicious cooked breakfast, setting the stage for an exciting day ahead. This is a perfect chance to meet new friends, forge connections with exceptional leaders, and exchange ideas and best practices.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Mindful Minutes

8:30-9:00am

Matt Spear is a highly accomplished sports executive and life coach who will guide our members in developing the right mindset to prepare them for a fruitful learning experience with presence, awareness and flow. His expertise harnesses mindfulness, gratitude and wellbeing pillars to manage stress and prevent burnout while maximizing purpose, mental fitness, collaboration, performance and growth.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Transforming Leadership - 60 Best Practices

9:00-9:30am

David Newbery (IYSL) will present each member with a detailed Gap Report incorporating club stakeholder feedback. We will guide you to indentify and optimize strengths, identify your best practices and pursue opportunities. In the contact of 7 critical departments and 19 key roles of high-performing clubs.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Leadership Circles

9:30-10:15am

Groups have 45 minutes to discuss the Gap Assessment Report, indentify clubs with complementary strengths, identify key priorities and establish five leadership commitments for the upcoming 90 days.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Break & Circle Reshuffle

10:15-10:45am

Refreshment break sponsored by Soccer.com, 431 Sports, PlayMetrics, Kwik Goal, EOS, Biz Niche, Club Capital & 365 Sports.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Building Community Engagement and Support for Your Club

10:45-11:15am

Katharine Eberhardt, Chief Marketing & Development Officer for North Carolina FC, will draw from her experience of executing a marketing plan for a club with over 17,000 active players.  The session explores how to shift from transactional to transformational relationships by emphasizing your organization's "why." Learn strategies to attract and retain families, connecting with their values, creating compelling stories, and building long-term community support for your youth sports club.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Leadership Circles

11:15-12:00 Noon

The 2nd leadership breakout session of the day led by Katharine Eberhardt, with members tasked with identifying and sharing winning marketing strategies leading to member growth and retention.  Members will leave the session with 5 actionable steps for the next 90 days.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Lunch at Senor Bravo's & Circle Reshuffle

12:00 Noon-1:00pm

Members will cross the street to a local Mexican restaurant for a Taco bar.

Lunch break sponsored by Soccer.com, 431 Sports, PlayMetrics, Kwik Goal, EOS, Biz Niche, Club Capital & 365 Sports.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Featured Club Best Practices: NC Fusion

1:00-3:30pm

Exceptional leaders from a multiple sports club, NC Fusion, will share best practice insights, in a dynamic 15+15 minute engaging workshop.

1:00pm. Scott Wollaston with introduce the club's best practices.

1:15pm. Sarah Bridges will discuss implementing 'People Operating Systems' employing an EOS model.

1:45pm.  George Wright will share an innovative budgeting process.

2:15pm. Austin Homan will explore strategies to generate millions of dollars in economic impact through club events.

2.45pm. Scott will present a template for ensuring board continuity and support.

3:15pm. Scott will summarize leader's action items for the next 90 days. 

This fast paced format will engage members in lively collaboration and sharing, to leave the session with innovative ideas and steps for success.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Break & Circle Reshuffle

3:30-4:00pm

Refreshment break sponsored by Soccer.com, 431 Sports, PlayMetrics, Kwik Goal, EOS, Biz Niche, Club Capital & 365 Sports.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

How to Run a World Class Meeting

4:00-4:30pm

Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) Expert Implementer, Ian Tonks leads a workshop that will help you transform chaotic, unfocused leadership meetings into highly productive sessions. Explore the five points of the weekly meeting pulse, the Level 10 Meeting agenda, and how to effectively prioritize issues. Gain tools to track progress, set quarterly priorities, and streamline communication for greater efficiency and accountability.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Leadership Circles

4:30-5:15pm

The 3rd leadership breakout session of the day led by Ian Tonks.  In this breakout session, attendees will discuss effective scorecard strategies, exchange best practices from their organizations, and leave with a practical 5-point action list to implement over the next 90 days.

2025-02-17

2025-02-16

Social Networking Event (Lot 63 Coffee and Taproom)

6:00-8:00pm

IYSL provides transportation to the historic Moravian District.  Take advantage to connect with colleagues while enjoying a complimentary drink and snacks.

Social event sponsored by Soccer.com, 431 Sports, PlayMetrics, Kwik Goal, EOS, Biz Niche, Club Capital & 365 Sports.

2025-02-16

2025-02-16

Free-time

From 8:00pm

Transportation back to the hotel. Members can relax, continue networking and visit the local restaurants and bars.

2025-02-16

DAY 3: TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2025

2025-02-17

Breakfast

7:00-8:30am in Hotel Breakfast Room

A delicious cooked breakfast.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Building a Positive Parent Culture

8:30-9:00am

Gordon Maclelland (Working with Parents in Sports) is an expert in creating parent engagement in youth sports.  He will share strategies for building effective relationships with parents,  cover how to gather and use parent feedback to benefit players, coaches, and clubs, and lead the discussion on implementing lasting engagement strategies in youth sports organizations.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Leadership Circles

9:00-9:45am

This leadership breakout session expands on Gordon Maclelland's insights, focusing on implementing sustainable parent engagement strategies. Participants will explore leadership techniques to foster collaborative relationships with parents, enhancing communication, accountability, and long-term success for players, coaches, and youth sports organizations.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Break & Circle Reshuffle

9:45-10:15am

Refreshment break sponsored by Soccer.com, 431 Sports, PlayMetrics, Kwik Goal, EOS, Biz Niche, Club Capital & 365 Sports.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

The Leadership Face-Off: Compete, Convince, and Conquer

10:15-11:15am

A Leadership Scenarios Debate session, facilitated by Scott Wollaston and David Newbery. 4 teams, each with two members, will compete in quick-fire rounds, addressing real-life challenges faced by our executives. Each team will take turns responding first, with members voting for their favorite responses. Bragging rights and extra swag is at stake.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

The Next 90 Days!

11:15-12:00 Noon

The closing workshop is a comprehensive review of key takeaways and best practices shared throughout the event. Leaders will have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, present their 90-day action plans, and discuss how they will apply these insights to their organizations. Members will have an opportunity to highlight the contributions of colleagues who have inspired critical thinking and growth in leadership, management, and operations. Join us in celebrating collaboration and commitment to elevating youth sports.

2025-02-17

2025-02-17

Depart

From 12:00 Noon

Members will have ample time to check out and travel to their next destinations, ensuring they can comfortably return home before the day's end.

2025-02-17