Kids Can Learn from the Pros at First Tampa Bay Youth Sports Expo

On Saturday, April 23, kids of all ages with big-league dreams will have the opportunity to learn from the pros at the first Tampa Bay Youth Sports Expo presented by The Skills Center, a nonprofit, sport-based youth development organization.

Held at the Tampa Convention Center, this one-day event will gather professional athletes, trainers and sports experts to offer an interactive experience where kids and their families can learn new skills both on and off the field.

“We wanted to create an event that would demonstrate the importance of positive youth sports in the Tampa Bay area and provide a day of sports-focused educational workshops, trainings and resources that the community really needs,” said Ken Roberts, vice president of business development for The Skills Center and chair of the Tampa Bay Youth Sports Expo committee. “This is a great opportunity for kids, parents, coaches and athletic program administrators to learn from the best.”

The expo will feature Interactive Skills Zones where professional sports teams – like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Rays and the Rowdies – will put on a series of scheduled sport clinics and demonstrations for girls and boys ages 6 to 18. In addition to football, baseball and soccer, other zones will feature top trainers and professional athletes in hockey, tennis, golf, cheer/dance, volleyball and more.

While the kids participate in the Interactive Skills Zones, parents, coaches and youth program administrators have the opportunity to attend a series of educational workshops. Presented by local and national youth sports organizations and leading sport experts, the workshops will address topics including: positive coaching techniques, sports injury prevention, sports nutrition and childhood obesity, preparing your student athlete for college and  more.

The day will also feature a keynote address by world-renowned tennis coach, Nick Bollettieri. An accomplished author, speaker and advocate for youth tennis, Bollettieri has coached 10 No. 1 players in the world including Agassi, Sharapova and the Williams sisters.

At the Tampa Bay Youth Sports Expo, he will share his multi-faceted approach to building athletes on the court as well as preparing them for a successful life off of the court.

During the expo, families can also browse the Exhibit Zone, which will showcase the best the region has to offer in sports camps, amateur teams and leagues, local specialty sport retailers and youth sport organizations.

Current and retired professional athletes and coaches from local professional sport teams will also will be on hand to meet and greet fans in the expo’s Autograph Zone.

“This event is really about giving families the opportunity to experience youth sports in a fun, interactive learning environment,” said Roberts. “Sports can benefit our kids and our communities in so many ways, teaching them life and leadership skills that will serve them well on the playing field, in the classroom and throughout their lives. We hope that this event gives families a glimpse of what positive youth sports can do and encourages them to get involved in sports year round.”  

The cxpo is being presented by The Skills Center. Formed in 2007, The Skills Center’s mission is to strategically utilize athletics, not merely as recreation, but as the mechanism to accelerate academic achievement and create a personal bank of life skills for young people. The organization helps youth develop leadership attributes such as character, responsibility, respect, integrity, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Proceeds from the expo will allow The Skills Center to provide quality out-of-school, afters-chool and summer programs free of charge to Tampa Bay’s underprivileged youth.

Bright House Networks, Cox Media and IMG Academies are sponsors of the Tampa Bay Youth Sports Expo.

Doors open at 9 a.m. with Skills Zones, workshops and other events scheduled throughout the day. Admission is $5 to $15. Participants are encouraged to register early to reserve their space at the workshops and Skills Zones they wish to attend.

Registration is now open at: http://www.tbyse.com/tampa_bay_youth_sports_expo_registrations.html

Sponsorship opportunities are available. To learn more about the Tampa Bay Youth Sports Expo and to see the full schedule of events, visit www.TBYSE.com or call 813-703-1324.