Mettle Sports Founder and CEO Neal Levin, along with sidekick John Henderson, tackle the issues facing soccer and youth sports in the USA. The list is long: Exorbitant costs of money and time, selective demographics, lack of equity, overcommitment of parents and kids, too much structure, bad coaches, limited access, plus much more. Through interviews, stories, debates, and fresh ideas, Mettle Sports sets out to set expose the wounds and to begin the journey towards discovering the "Culture" of Soccer and why “street soccer” will play a large role in helping fix what's broke.
John's journey is compelling. He traversed as many do, kid, player, coach, parent, though that's when it hit him. Something is amiss. He saw that coaching and parenting was not how he remembered it when he was playing pickup with his friends. Then his journey pivoted! We must give sports back to our youth! Listen in for fantastic insights from John, who has seen it all, experienced it all, and has now set his sights on Changing the Game! Visit ...
19 Apr 2023
Bobby Bracket - Harwich Police Soccer Club
The Good Cop! Bobby is nothing short of a Saint for the amazing work he does for kids in his community -- all with The Beautiful Game of Street Soccer. Positive influences and time that empower kids for life. The world needs more Bobbys, and more of the incredible youth and young adults that his organization fosters. After listening, read the articles below and watch the video produced by one of their own! #Play On https://capecodchronicle.com/en/5632/harwich/7599/Ha...
10 Feb 2023
Jason Sacks - The Positive Coaching Alliance "PCA"
Jason Sacks talks with John and Neal about his fascinating journey to his current role as President of the Positive Coaching Alliance ("PCA") and the impact that creating a positive coaching and club environment has on our community, social and sport development. The PCA's goal is to change culture and behavior throughout youth sports. Learn more at https://positivecoach.org/. Write-Us: info@mettlesports.com Tag us: IG @mettle_sports Share Like Keep the Conversation Going #PlayOn
28 Dec 2022
Matt Young
Matt Young has a long and impressive list of life experiences (and records and awards and...) which he has incorporated into his philosophies around youth sports. John and Neal talk with Matt about physical literacy, what it means to be a great coach and mentor to our youth and how we need to give the game back to the kids in order to foster a love for playing, creating great individuals as well as great athletes. Check Out Matt's TedX Talk Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReJSPjS...
28 Nov 2022
Eddie Henderson: Where I Learned to Play and Love Soccer
John and Neal chat with Eddie Henderson, a 5'1" former U17 and U20 soccer player who grew up learning and playing the sport in the alleys of his Seattle neighborhood. You don't get great by being coached as a kid! Write-Us: info@mettlesports.com Tag us: IG @mettle_sports Share Like Keep the Conversation Going #PlayOn
10 Nov 2022
Linda Flanagan: Take Back the Game
John, Neal and special guest Linda Flanagan talk how money and mania, including parents, college scholarships, coaches and other mayhem, are ruining youth sports and our kids. We need to "Take Back the Game!" Write-Us: info@mettlesports.com Tag us: IG @mettle_sports Share Like Keep the Conversation Going #PlayOn
18 Oct 2022
Skip Gilbert, CEO of US Youth Soccer, talks about the Pay to Play Model and What's Broken in Youth Soccer and Sports
Our host Neal Levin talks with Skip Gilbert, CEO of US Youth Soccer, about how the Pay to Play model, while doing some good, needs to be fixed with viable alternatives that serve the masses instead of just the few. Coming from this high ranking soccer executive, the admissions are compelling. Tune-in! Write-Us: info@mettlesports.com Tag us: IG @mettle_sports Share Like Keep the Conversation Going #PlayOn
29 Sept 2022
The Culture of Soccer - With Mark Yakich
The hosts of PlayOn: Why StreetSoccer discuss the "culture" of soccer with author and skilled baller Mark Yakich, a distinguished professor at Loyola NOLA. Diving deep into his recent book "football" from the series Object Lessons, the team explores pick-up, "three-touch", the beauty of a "pretty move" and other stories as a lens though which we see our society and how The Beautiful Game can help to heal it. Write-Us: info@mettlesports.com Tag us: IG @mettle_sports Share Like Keep...
Great athletes are not made the way you think. Former Women's National Team and professional baller Joanna Lohman opens up with Neal and John about her own experiences and observations, her belief that youth sports is broken, how we need to return youth sports to the kids, the power of sports, and about her book titled Raising Tomorrow's Champions: What the Women's National Soccer Team Teaches Us About Grit, Authenticity and Winning. WARNING: There are many uncomfortable truths in this episod...
30 Aug 2022
Why StreetSoccer
Neal Levin, Founder and CEO of Mettle Sports, talks about Street Soccer, the culture of soccer, the state of soccer in the USA, and why Mettle Sports was founded. Write-Us: info@mettlesports.com Tag us: IG @mettle_sports Share Like Keep the Conversation Going #PlayOn
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