Empowering youth and those who lead them
through sport and leadership
development.
Certification programs that strengthen our youth and the people who make youth sport possible.
Leadership certificates for 5th-8th graders. Grounded in sport.
UASA Pilot – February 2026
Essential Firsts – Spring 2026
Youth Sport Leadership Certificate – Summer 2026
A practical foundation for coaches and those who make youth and community sport possible. Six modules blending leadership principles with real-world essentials of running a league.
Learn MoreEngaging presentations and workshops on leadership, building belonging, and creating positive youth sport experiences. Perfect for coaches, administrators, and community leaders.
Learn MoreCollaborative programs designed for youth sport organizations, schools, and community groups. Bring professional development and youth leadership certificates to your community.
Learn MoreLeadership is not about titles or authority. It's about how we show up, build connection, and elevate the people around us. We work with the best of the best—experts who believe in our youth and contribute their knowledge to build something meaningful together through our contributor model.
Lead people, not just programs. True leadership begins with empathy, connection, and the courage to care deeply about those you serve.
Create spaces where everyone feels they belong. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they show up as their best selves.
Leadership is about making others better. When we lift others up, we create a culture of excellence and collective success.
We believe in learning from experts who have dedicated their careers to understanding what works. Through our Contributors Model, we partner with the best of the best—professionals who trust our youth, trust coaches, and believe in their voices. They're willing to share their knowledge to create something meaningful together.
Every certificate program is built collaboratively with experts who believe that youth and coaches have something important to say. Together, we ensure our youth receive world-class professional development grounded in proven expertise and their own lived experiences.
Personal stories that shaped the Lead with Heart philosophy
A new idea born on National Women in Sports Day - launching Essential Firsts with the girls of Upper Arlington Softball...
Read MoreA story about lessons learned from coaching, making mistakes, and the power of showing up for young athletes...
Read MoreA heartfelt story about community, legacy, and the transformative power of youth sport in Upper Arlington...
Read MoreFounder of Leadership Through Sport
Sarah Lathrop is the founder of Leadership Through Sport, a professional development and consulting practice dedicated to empowering youth sport leaders and the young athletes they serve.
With deep expertise in certificates, training, and workforce development, Sarah recognized it was time to bring these proven professional development approaches to youth. Sport is one of the most powerful classrooms for teaching communication, empathy, teamwork, and resilience—and young athletes deserve the same quality of leadership development that transforms adult professionals.
Through speaking engagements, consulting, and professional development programs, Sarah helps individuals and organizations discover what it means to truly lead with heart.
Sarah's expertise spans:
If you give a girl a ball, she'll do more than learn to play.
She'll discover her voice — how to speak up, step forward, and stand tall. She'll learn that she can do hard things, that failure isn't final, and that her effort matters.
If you give a boy a ball, he'll learn that strength and sensitivity can coexist. That leadership isn't just about power — it's about patience, kindness, and lifting others up.
If you give kids a ball — any kid — they'll learn teamwork, empathy, and how to celebrate someone else's success as much as their own.
And when you give that same ball to a coach, a volunteer, or a caring adult, they'll discover the power of influence — how their words can shape confidence, and how consistency builds trust.
They'll realize that leadership isn't about the scoreboard; it's about creating a place where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable.
Because when we give someone a ball, we're not just teaching them how to play. We're teaching them how to lead, how to care, and how to believe in themselves and each other.
That's what Leadership Through Sport is all about.
Whether you're a coach seeking professional development, an organization looking to strengthen your team culture, or a leader wanting to make a deeper impact — Leadership Through Sport has a path for you.
Digital badges through Credly you can share on LinkedIn
Practical tools and strategies rooted in decades of leadership
Tailored consulting and workshops for your specific needs