CITY OF CHAMPYINZ

For both hockey and soccer players, sport has become a year-round pursuit and an undertaking that must begin at younger and younger ages to become competitive elite players. These changes are the result of increasing money in professional leagues around the world that trickle-down to the youth level, as teams looks for fans and future players alike.

The overwhelming commercial presence of professional franchises has professionalized youth athletes. The professionalization of youth sports means longer hours, bigger commitments, and higher costs for families. Though hockey and soccer have fought an uphill battle for attention in the Steel City, the emergence of  elite youth training programs in the last 15 years demonstrates the worldwide shift towards increasingly professional youth leagues.