“Be strong in body, clean in mind, lofty in ideals.” – Dr. James Naismith
Why It All Started
We believe that sports are one of society's vehicles to support our youth and prepare them to lead successful lives. We believe the original intention of sports has been lost in the "win at all costs" mentality that dominates youth sports.
The Original Intention of Sports
We are passionate about restoring the original intention of sports. It was originally intended to provide our youth with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of a sport, the life lessons the sport teaches along with the fun of participation.
On Court Player Development®
We created On Court Player Development® because of our passion for the great game of basketball and our desire to positively impact the lives of the kids who participate. The video below describes why we began our journey back in February of 2002 with our purchase of Suwanee Sports Academy in metro Atlanta.
The Beginning
We purchased Suwanee Sports Academy in 2002. At the time it was losing a great deal of money. But our goal was to do more than just have the keys to our own gym. Our plans were ambitious. We wanted to change the youth sports landscape. Today, the 100,000 square foot multi-sports facility (with seven NBA-sized courts) has grown into a nationally recognized training facility that offers top-tiered basketball and volleyball programming, among other sports programs and activities. It also serves as the R&D lab for the On Court Player Development® system
Suwanee Sports Academy
The following video shares insights from a number of nationally recognized basketball icons that have visited the Suwanee Sports Academy.
Learn more about Suwanee Sports Academy at www.ssasports.com
Research and Development Lab
Since 2002, On Court Player Development® has spent countless hours refining how the game of basketball is taught, played and organized. Through trial and error our team of basketball experts has developed the formula for getting kids better on and off the court. We have developed the training and programming systems and methodologies that can be replicated by programming entities everywhere.
As we expand our business across America, we no longer see ourselves as delivering the programs as we do at Suwanee Sports Academy. We now support programming people everywhere by enhancing their programming with what we have learned in our R&D Lab over the course of many years.
The Challenge ... The Opportunity
Over the last 10 years there has been a drastic decline in the number of kids playing the game of basketball.
The good news is that there are still more than 23 million Americans involved in youth basketball.
Addressing the Challenge
One of the challenges the sport faces is that far more kids want to play the game rather than learn how to play it correctly. This fact is a result of coaches who are taking the fun - and fundamentals - out of the game with a "win at all cost" attitude. The game needs more youth coaches who are willing to teach the fundamentals and life lessons associated with the game.
Rising Tide Raises All Ships
As we expand across the United States, On Court Player Development® is working with individuals and entities within the grassroots basketball community to restore the original intention of sports to the game. Together, we can make a difference.
Coach2Coachsm
To help in our quest, we have developed a program to reach out for help to a very special community; high school coaches throughout America. Coach2Coachsm is a peer-to-peer coaches' network sponsored by On Court Player Development®, established to improve pre-collegiate basketball by providing the operating system and tools to help the High School Coach enhance the teaching of the game in all the communities that feed their basketball programs.
To learn more, visit our Coach2Coachsm page.
Our Goals for Tomorrow
On Court Player Development® is moving into new markets every day to promote the great game of basketball and positively impact every child who participates. Currently we are focused domestically and ultimately hope to take our solution around the world.
When we started back in 2002, we knew our vision was ambitious. We knew we were dependent on the help of others as we progressed along our journey. It is our hope that basketball enthusiasts everywhere will take the time to learn more about us. We will continue to seek out partners, both individuals and companies, to join together to make a difference.
We will experience success by bringing the original intention of sports back to grassroots basketball communities everywhere. We will share that success with many willing and able partners.
As we spread our reach and have the good fortunes for others to help us, "one kid at a time" will grow into millions.
Our friend, role model and member of our Legends Council sums it all up in this video.
