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I’m Chad Henry. I’ve coached, run programs, and felt the pressure that comes with getting a season off the ground. One thing I learned early is that the first few weeks shape how families feel about your program for the rest of the year. For parents who are brand new to youth sports, that matters even more. This week, I’m sharing a few practical ways directors are helping first-year families feel prepared, confident, and welcomed from the start. A little clarity and a few simple systems can take a huge load off parents and make your season run much smoother. Let me know here if you end up using any of these ideas, and have a great sports week.
Chad Henry and the Signature Locker Team
⭐ This Week’s Play: Your Secret Weapon for Year One Families
Starting sports should feel exciting. For many new families, it feels more like “Help… what did we just sign up for?”
Think about it: A parent shows up on day one wondering what gear to buy, where to park, what a “scrimmage” is, and whether everyone else already knows the playbook. Most won’t admit they are overwhelmed. But the confusion is real, and it is one of the biggest reasons families never make it to year two.
Here is the upside: Programs that design for first-year clarity do more than answer questions. They grow faster, communicate cleaner, and turn new families into enthusiastic regulars.
This week’s guide breaks down six practical ways directors are removing hidden barriers around gear, schedules, sideline culture, coach communication, and confidence. These are simple moves that help families start strong and keep coming back.
Read the full story below. 👇.
Kara Sanford | Founder, womenslaxdrills.com (based in Amsterdam; community worldwide)
📣 Program Spotlight
When Kara Sanford moved from New Jersey to Germany, she lost the coaching network she relied on. So she built one.
Today, womenslaxdrills.com connects more than 1,200 girls’ and women’s lacrosse coaches worldwide with drills, trainings, and a supportive community that answers real coaching questions in real time. It is practical, high-touch, and helping coaches grow the game wherever they are.
⚡️ 3 Ways to Help Families Start the Season Strong
1️⃣ Give Parents a Simple, Affordable Starter Gear List
New families do not know what they do not know. Provide a “bare-minimum beginner list” plus optional upgrades, and watch stress disappear. Pairing this with on-demand ordering (no minimums and no bulk headaches) makes gear financially and logistically accessible.
2️⃣ Send a “Welcome to the Sidelines” Email
First-time parents want to do it right, but they are not always sure what “right” looks like. Share sideline expectations, communication channels, and a short introduction from the coach. This removes social and emotional barriers and builds a supportive environment from day one.
3️⃣ Give Kids & Parents a “First Week What to Expect” Guide
The top cause of first-week anxiety is uncertainty.
A simple breakdown of:
what practice looks like
how playing time works
how to talk to coaches
what to pack
— creates clarity and accessibility for families who have never done this before.
Today, You Can Change the Future for a Child in Uganda
A single donation today can help a child in Uganda stay in school, eat consistently, and grow into a confident leader through Kids Lacrosse Africa. The Signature Foundation and KLA are working toward a $60K goal that fuels scholarships, meals, and new program sites for 2026. Want to see what this support looks like in real life? Meet Caroline, Isaac, Dan, and the hundreds of kids whose lives are shifting. Read on…
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Thought Leaders
Follow our sport parents and athletes building the future of youth sports.
Follow Chad Henry, 10,000+ hours as a sports parent, coach and program director ensuring that every kid has the chance to play sports
Follow Maddie Soviero, 10,000+ hours as a youth sports coach, program director, league director, and camp director
Follow Ian Goldberg, 10,000+ hours as a seasoned sport parent (#girldad), volunteer coach, and youth sports Editor-in-chief
Follow Kim Pope, 10,000+ hours building youth sports — a former D1 athlete and a new sports mom navigating the journey with fresh eyes
Follow Dan Soviero, 10,000+ hours building youth sports companies, coaching, and Founder of multiple national sports organizations
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