See the newsletter with all graphics at COMMON GROUND VOLUME 2 : ISSUE 10 NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE LINK.  Text only version provided below, links only work in the full archived version via the link above.

Volume 2 : Issue 10

October 2013

Welcome to Common Ground News

In this Issue:

* Feature Article – Youth Sports Industry: A Growing Opportunity

* Tips & Techniques – helping you get the most out of our online mapping
application at [1]GeoMetrx “How to Build a Franchise or Sales Territory”

* Thematic Map – Put Me In Coach: where there are children, there is interest
in sports

* Trivia Challenge​​ – First public school in America is still in operation.
Can you name the school, founding date and location?

This and all our newsletters are available through our Knowledge Center resource
listed on our website. We encourage you to share our Common Ground News with
your friends and colleagues and we welcome your feedback. Visit our website and
make a comment on the [2]contact us page or send us an email
at [3]info@geo-e.com.

—-Kent Hargesheimer,

Managing Partner

Geo-Legend

Phone: 1.888.848.4436

Web: [4]www.geo-e.com

[5]www.geometrx.com

[6]www.geoprinter.com

[7]www.gis4less.com

Email:

[8]

[9]info@geo-e.com

Follow Us:

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Blog: [14]Common Ground Blog

Newsletter Archives
• [15]September 2013
• [16]August 2013
• [17]July 2013
• [18]June 2013
• [19]May 2013
• [20]Previous Issues

Youth Sports Industry: A Growing Opportunity

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October brings with it many wonderful happenings. The leaves are changing
colors; kids, both young and old, are partaking in Halloween festivities; and
sports are in the air. Baseball fans are enjoying the post-season with its
play-offs and World Series match-ups; and football fans are gathering on
weekends to root for their favorite teams. There are few things more American
than fall baseball and football.

Professional sports is big business. Inspired by their idols in the big leagues,
many kids hope to become the stars of tomorrow, and as a result the youth sports
industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Kids have always participated in games
and sports; however, the face of youth sports has changed greatly over the last
decade or two. Gone are the days of pick-up ballgames in empty sandlots,
two-on-two in the driveway, or playing hockey in the street with sticks and
rocks. Youth sports have become a network of independent organizations,
competitive regional leagues, travel teams and tournament play, with parents,
coaches, league organizers, referees and tournament operators organizing both
practices and competition.

The [21]National Council of Youth Sports (NYCS), reports more than 60 million
boys and girls are registered in programs across the country. The most recent
data from the [22]Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) estimates
nearly 70% of children (age 6-17) in the U.S. are playing team sports and three
out of four teenagers are playing at least one team sport. While there is much
debate surrounding the direction youth sports have taken, there is no arguing
that opportunities to score big are rampant for innovative entrepreneurs. The
team travel segment of youth sports is estimated to be $7 billion alone. Local
communities are benefactors of the economic activity generated by the growing
travel team phenomenon as well.

The “travel team” stratum of youth sports in particular has exploded in the last
twenty years.Travel teams grew out of recreational league play, as players,
parents and coaches sought more and better venues in which to compete. The
teams mushroomed in popularity as new leagues were formed to promote their play,
tournaments proliferated to match the best against the best and large indoor
facilities multiplied in suburban areas permitting year-round training and
competition. ([23]Fullinwider, 2006)

Many leagues are grassroots organizations formed and operated by parents through
local schools, churches or other community outlets. However, that too is
expanding with companies such as [24]i9, a youth sports league franchise. Based
in Tampa, Florida, [25]i9 provides sports leagues, camps and clinics for
children ages 3-17, including flag football, soccer, basketball, T-Ball and even
cheerleading. The company’s tagline: “traditional kids sports leagues without
the traditional headaches!”

Parents are often overwhelmed by the demands on their time, and for many, the
option to pay a participation fee and let others run the show can be a welcome
opportunity. It also removes parents from coaching and refereeing positions,
which can be a source of tension for many.

Today’s parents are busier than ever because in most households both work.
Additionally, we live in a world where all of our kid’s activities are scheduled
and supervised. Parents are constantly looking for new activities to engage,
educate, exercise, and entertain their kids. Today’s parent also demands great
service, a great product, and great communication AND is willing to pay for it.
Meanwhile, legacy youth sports leagues operate the same way they did twenty-five
years ago. As in any industry today, there is room for an innovator. ([26]Steve
Cox, i9 Sports Franchise Owner)

Other opportunities to capitalize on the growing youth sports industry include:
* New and Used Equipment Stores
+ ​as kids outgrow their equipment or change sports, there is plenty of used
equipment deserving of a second wind
* Photography/Videography Services
+ parents also enjoy capturing their kids’ big moments and team membership on
film — weekend photographers can carve out a very lucrative niche taking team
photos, individual portraits and live action shots
* Online Management Tools/Apps
+ managing registrations, fees, scheduling, logistics, team stats, rosters,
and even background checks for volunteers can be cumbersome, and innovate
thinkers are providing powerful online tools to help grassroots organizations
* Local / Regional Sports Media Content Providers
+ streaming video of local and regional games is becoming big business,
especially in rural communities where high school sports teams often take on a
bigger role in the absence of professional sports found in larger metro areas

Here is a great [27]article highlighting some specific companies within these
niches of the growing youth sports industry. Another group, [28]The Sports &
Education Expo, is planning to hold shows around the country to bring
resources and information about youth sports to athletes, parents, coaches,
directors and more. The first show is scheduled for Dec 13-15, 2013 at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center.

For any current or prospective entrepreneurs interested in the youth sports
industry, [29]GeoMetrx can provide an in-depth location analysis including an
understanding of the competitive landscape. Call us at 1.888.848.4436 or visit
us on the web to [30]request a demo today.

Tips & Techniques – ​How to Build a Franchise or Sales Territory

It’s our turn for ‘Throw-back Thursday!’ It’s been nearly two years since we
have featured our tutorial video guide on building a franchise or sales
territory in [31]GeoMetrx.

Expert Rich Mithoff will navigate you through the process with simple
step-by-step video instructions in this six-minute [32]video.

[33]”How To Build a Franchise or Sales Territory Video”

[34][Create-Territories-Video-Image.png]

Put Me In Coach

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Kids have boundless energy and parents often find themselves wishing for an
‘off’ switch. Since no such magical switch exists, the next best approach is to
simply wear the little angels down. In today’s hustle and bustle world,
organized activities offered through youth sports appeals to both kids and
parents. While some parents have the time and inclination to coach or otherwise
manage their little ones’ teams, others are happy to turn that job over to
professionals dedicated to the sport.

In our feature article, “Youth Sports Industry: A Growing Opportunity” we
discussed many options for innovative entrepreneurs to enter the market, but
where are the most receptive customers located? Two key metrics to consider are:
1) location of kids, and 2) adult interest. The first metric is straightforward.
The second can be viewed from different perspectives. One view is to recognize
that adults who are active in sports and fitness are likely to involve their
children as well. Another perspective is to consider that parents who are less
active are more likely to turn to others to help organize and manage their
childrens’ physical activities. The bottom line is, if there are children
present, there is an opportunity!

Below are two heat maps. The first represents adults who participate in sports
or fitness activities at least once a week. The second is a density map of the
population count of children under 18 (ages 0-17) in the lower 48 states
generated from our [35]GeoMetrx mapping application. The population counts
increase from the lighter to darker areas. Combining this insight with adults
who lead active lifestyles can help companies better target which youth sports
services would be a natural fit. Demographic data along with competitive
business data is an extremely useful resource for determining market potential.
[36]GeoMetrx has a rich database of population age breakdowns and adult
participation by specific activities.

​

[37][2013.10-Participate-in-Sports-Exercise-Once-A-Week.png]

Click here to see a [38]larger version of these maps

[39]GeoMetrx has the tools you need to assess the opportunities, locate the
ideal site location, and evaluate the competition. For more information on how
to obtain access to [40]GeoMetrx tools and datasets, contact us today at
1.888.848.4436.

October 2013 – Trivia Challenge

One underdeveloped segment of the youth sports industry is participation by
girls, and many are simply sidelined. Depending on the community where girls
live has an impact on their access to organized sports. Do you know the answers
to the questions below? They might surprise you.

1) What percent of high school girls from cities have never participated in
organized sports?

2) High schools in 31 states have enough roster slots for 50% of the boys
enrolled. How many states can accommodate 50% of the girls?

[41]Click Here for the Answers

References

1. http://geometrx.com/
2. http://geometrx.com/contact-us/
3. mailto:info@geo-e.com?subject=October%202012%20Newsletter%20Feedback
4. http://www.geo-e.com/
5. http://geometrx.com/
6. http://www.geoprinter.com/
7. http://www.gis4less.com/
8. mailto:info@geo-e.com
9. mailto:info@geo-e.com
10. http://www.facebook.com/GeoMetrx
11. https://twitter.com/#!/geometrx_
12. http://www.linkedin.com/company/691866
13. http://geometrx.com/feed/
14. http://geometrx.com/blog/
15. http://geometrx.com/2013/09/geometrx-common-ground-news-volume-2-issue-9-tutoring-services-an-inspiring-opportunity/
16. http://geometrx.com/2013/08/geometrx-common-ground-news-volume-2-issue-8-air-quality-measurement-industry-opportunities-the-sky-is-the-limit/
17. http://geometrx.com/2013/07/geometrx-common-ground-news-volume-2-issue-7-reinventing-the-modern-book-store-a-new-chapter-begins/
18. http://geometrx.com/2013/06/geometrx-common-ground-news-volume-2-issue-6/
19. http://geometrx.com/2013/05/geometrx-common-ground-news-volume-2-issue-5/
20. http://geometrx.com/category/newsletters/
21. http://www.ncys.org/index.php
22. http://www.sfia.org/
23. http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/WorkingPapers/WP44Fullinwider.pdf
24. http://www.i9sports.com/
25. http://www.i9sports.com/
26. http://www.i9sportsfranchise.com/you-run-a-youth-sports-business-how-nice/
27. http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/09/12/In-Depth/Companies.aspx
28. http://www.sportseducationexpo.com/
29. http://geometrx.com/
30. http://geometrx.com/geometrx-demonstration-request-form/
31. http://geometrx.com/
32. http://geometrx.com/2012/03/how-to-create-territories/
33. http://geometrx.com/2012/03/how-to-create-territories/
34. http://geometrx.com/2012/03/how-to-create-territories/
35. http://click.icptrack.com/icp/rclick.php?d=Gp73aByODKH-ry6sYclS3XYb6ZPQ84kh&w=3&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fgeometrx.com
36. http://geometrx.com/
37. http://geometrx.com/common-ground-news-trivia-maps/
38. http://geometrx.com/common-ground-news-trivia-maps/
39. http://geometrx.com/
40. http://geometrx.com/
41. http://geometrx.com/newsletter-trivia-answers/