Sports & Leadership Academy

Training the
Whole Person

Empowering youth through sports, leadership, education, mental wellness, and community support.

Youth Development
Sports Training
Leadership Growth

Who We Are

Building Leaders Through Sports, Wellness, and Community

We develop young people by combining athletics, mentorship, education, and mental wellness support — helping youth grow into confident leaders on and off the field.

01

Mission

Our Mission is to inspire the next generation through sports to live healthier lives, and to be innovators and change agents in their communities.

02

Vision

We empower youth through sports, leadership development, education, and positive community support — helping them reach their full potential and make a difference.

03

Purpose

We train the whole person — physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally — so our youth are prepared to thrive in every area of life.

Five Years of Impact

The Lives
We Have Reached

Sports & Leadership Academy has impacted students and families over the years through sports, education, leadership, mentorship, and community outreach both locally and internationally.

Local Roots. Global Reach.

SALA continues to serve students and families across the United States, Liberia, and Uganda — building healthier lives and stronger leaders through service.

And Counting
USA
Local Impact

SALA - USA

2,000 +

Students and Families served locally through sports programs, mentorship, education, leadership development, and community engagement.

LBR
International Impact

SALA - Liberia

200 +

Students and Families served in Liberia through international outreach, youth sports, leadership development, and community support.

UGA
International Impact

SALA - Uganda

300 +

Students and Families served in Uganda through youth engagement, leadership opportunities, community outreach, and global impact initiatives.

2,500 +

Total students and families served across three regions

A growing legacy of service across local and international communities.

This important milestone reflects SALA’s mission to inspire the next generation through sports to live healthier lives and become leaders in their communities.

Learn More

Our Programs

Developing Youth Beyond the Game

Through our programs, we empower young people with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed in life.

Career Services

Helping youth explore career options, build resumes, prepare for interviews, and access future opportunities.

Program Details

The S.A.L.A. Career Service Program supports students and young adults with career counseling, resume building, interview preparation, and job placement support.

  • Career counseling
  • Resume builder support
  • Interview preparation
  • Job placement guidance

Sessions are scheduled for Saturdays from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM at Brooklyn Park Library.

Mentorship / Leadership

Guiding young people through positive mentorship, discipline, confidence, and leadership training.

Program Details

Our mentorship and leadership work helps youth build character, confidence, discipline, accountability, and decision-making skills that transfer beyond sports.

  • Leadership development
  • Positive mentorship
  • Confidence and accountability
  • Community-minded growth

Podcast

Sharing conversations, stories, and lessons around sports, leadership, wellness, and community.

Podcast Details

The SALA podcast is a platform that welcomes stories from all walks of life to celebrate important milestones and resilience.

The podcast has been active since November 2024 and continues to build a platform for stories, growth, and community connection.

Education

Supporting academic growth, learning habits, personal development, and long-term student success.

Education Support

SALA supports students through education-focused programming that encourages academic growth, leadership, preparation, and access to opportunities.

Career Pathway Educational Program

The Summer Career Pathway Program is a two-week, 10-day program that introduces middle school students in Grades 6–9 to diverse career options, strengthens core life and workplace skills, and equips each student with a personal Career Portfolio.

Duration 2 consecutive weeks, Monday–Friday, 8 hours per day.
Format Interactive lessons, hands-on projects, and real-world exposure.
Output Mini-resume, interest inventory, skills checklist, and career roadmap.
Program Goals & Objectives
  • Awareness: Expose students to at least 6–9 career clusters.
  • Exploration: Encourage self-reflection on interests, values, and skills.
  • Skill Development: Practice communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.
  • Readiness: Provide tools such as resume writing, interview practice, and career planning.
  • Confidence: Build motivation and self-belief in preparing for high school and beyond.

S.A.L.A Sports Performance

Sports, Strength
& Development

AAU Basketball, Soccer Select, strength and speed development, adult fitness, and athletic performance all live under the S.A.L.A Sports Performance umbrella.

AAU Basketball

On-court skill development focused on dribbling, shooting, passing, defense, conditioning, and game IQ.

Soccer Select

Soccer skills development for athletes ages 8–25 years old through structured technical training and competitive growth.

Sports Performance Tab

Strength, Speed
& Athletic Development

S.A.L.A Sports Performance brings together strength and conditioning, speed development, fitness classes, adult programming, and athletic club opportunities under one clear performance pathway.

Youth & Athlete Development

  • Elementary Strength & Speed Development — foundational movement, coordination, confidence, and athletic habits.
  • Middle School Speed & Strength Development — age-appropriate speed mechanics, agility, strength fundamentals, and discipline.
  • High School Speed & Strength Development — advanced performance training for speed, power, strength, and competitive readiness.
  • College / Professional Strength & Speed Development — performance-focused support for athletes preparing for higher levels.

Adult Program

  • Former Athlete / Non-Athlete Fitness Class
  • Afrobeats Fitness Class
  • Sports & Leadership Academy Athletic Club Fitness Program

Book Your Next Consultation

Start with a consultation and find the right athletic performance, fitness, or development pathway.

Book Consultation Now

S.A.L.A Sports Performance includes AAU Basketball, Soccer Select, strength and conditioning, youth athlete development, college/professional training, adult fitness, and athletic club programming.

AAU Basketball

On Court Skill Development

A comprehensive approach to enhancing a player's abilities on the court through fundamental skill development, physical conditioning, and basketball IQ.

Dribbling

Control, speed, change of direction, both-hand development, crossovers, and behind-the-back moves.

Shooting

Proper form, footwork, shot selection, layups, mid-range shots, and three-pointers.

Passing

Chest, bounce, and overhead passing with decision-making for team play.

Defense

Footwork, positioning, anticipation, contesting shots, and creating turnovers.

Conditioning

Stamina, agility, strength, and the mindset that greatness does not get tired.

Game IQ

Strategy, rules, opponent tendencies, film study, and applying skills in real-game scenarios.

Soccer Select

Soccer Skills Development

Soccer skills development for athletes ages 8–25 years old through structured technical training, game awareness, performance, teamwork, discipline, and leadership.

Ball Control Footwork Game Awareness Speed Agility Leadership Teamwork Conditioning
Age Range

Open to athletes ages 8–25.

Player Growth

Technical improvement, confidence, decision-making, and competitive readiness.

Team Development

Discipline, communication, accountability, and leadership through the game.

Performance

Movement quality, speed, agility, and conditioning.

S.A.L.A Sports Performance

Strength, Speed & Conditioning

Everything under sports performance is organized as a complete athletic development pathway — from elementary athletes to college and professional-level athletes.

Elementary Strength & Speed

Foundational movement, coordination, confidence, and age-appropriate athletic habits.

Middle School Speed & Strength

Speed mechanics, agility, strength fundamentals, discipline, and body control.

High School Speed & Strength

Advanced performance training for speed, power, strength, and competitive readiness.

College / Professional

Performance-focused support for athletes preparing for higher levels of competition.

Strength & Conditioning

Structured development focused on strength, speed, movement quality, and durability.

Athletic Club Fitness

Fitness pathways that support athletes, adults, and community members.

Adult Program

Adult Fitness & Athletic Club

Adult-focused fitness programs designed for former athletes, non-athletes, and community members who want to stay active, strong, confident, and connected.

Former Athlete / Non-Athlete Fitness Class

Supportive functional training to rebuild strength, improve fitness, and support a healthier lifestyle.

Afrobeats Fitness Class

A high-energy, music-driven fitness class combining rhythm, cardio, strength, culture, and community.

S.A.L.A Athletic Club Fitness Program

A community-centered fitness pathway connected to Sports & Leadership Academy’s performance structure.

Consultation

Book a consultation to find the right athletic performance or fitness pathway.

Community Engagement

Impact Beyond the Game

We connect families, youth, and communities through events, wellness initiatives, and recreational programs.

Brooklyn Center HealthFair

Supporting community wellness through health awareness, outreach, and family-centered engagement.

Oakdale Annual

An annual community event bringing people together through service, connection, and positive experiences.

Recreation Sports

Accessible sports activities that help youth and families stay active, connected, and engaged.

International Impact

Expanding Leadership Across Borders

SALA is building meaningful connections beyond the local community through international outreach, sports development, and leadership opportunities.

Liberia

Supporting youth development, leadership, and sports-based community growth through international outreach.

Uganda

Creating opportunities for connection, mentorship, and positive youth engagement through global partnerships.

Official Store

Wear the Mission

Support Sports & Leadership Academy by shopping official apparel and gear. Every purchase helps represent the mission and support youth development.

Shop Official
SALA Apparel

Explore shirts, sweatshirts, drinkware, polos, bags, headwear, and more from the official Sports & Leadership Academy store.

Bulk savings available: Buy more, save more — savings start at just 4 units.

T-Shirts

Browse official SALA tees for men, women, and youth.

Sweatshirts

Comfortable gear for events, training days, and everyday wear.

Drinkware

Stay ready with branded bottles and drinkware options.

Headwear & Bags

Complete the look with useful accessories and branded gear.

Partners & Affiliates

Building Impact Through Partnership

Sports & Leadership Academy is proud to collaborate with organizations, schools, community partners, and programs that help expand opportunities for youth development, wellness, education, and leadership.

17+ Partners
1 Shared Mission
World Youth Clubs
Boys and Girls Club Northeast Florida
City of Brooklyn Center
North Hennepin Community College
Hennepin Technical College
YMCA
IDA Academy
Above the Edge
NextGen Legacy Foundation
World Youth Clubs Boys and Girls Club Northeast Florida City of Brooklyn Center North Hennepin Community College Hennepin Technical College YMCA IDA Academy Above the Edge NextGen Legacy Foundation City of Oakdale Warrior Nutrition Enhancing Roots Underdog Performance DK Shoot Tutorants EFG Games Klassicz Dezign

Contact us.