One of the best football players to come out of East Tennessee is returning home to lead a special football camp in Gatlinburg. This summer, James “Little Man” Stewart will share his wisdom with young athletes at Rocky Top Sports World. Stewart, who went to high school in nearby Morristown, TN, played for the University of Tennessee Volunteers, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Detroit Lions. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the James “Little Man” Stewart Football Camp in Gatlinburg. Read More
Rocky Top Sports World Blog
AAU 5th Grade Girls Basketball National Championship Coming to Gatlinburg
Rocky Top Sports World is excited to host one of the biggest events in girls basketball! This summer, the AAU 5th Grade Girls Basketball National Championship will take place at our 80-acre sports campus in Gatlinburg, TN. This tournament will bring the best 5th grade girls basketball teams in the United States to the Smokies for six days of spirited competition and fun. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this eagerly anticipated event. Read More
Gatlinburg Basketball Tournaments to Benefit Pat Summitt and Jim Valvano Foundations
Few people have had as profound an impact on college basketball as Pat Summitt and Jim Valvano. These legendary coaches were renowned not only for their success on the court but also for their inspirational leadership and unrelenting positivity. In the coming months, Rocky Top Sports World and the Girls Basketball Association (GBA) will host two youth basketball tournaments that will honor Summitt and Valvano while raising money for their respective foundations.
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The 5 Most Effective Ways to Stop Bullying in Youth Sports
Kids play sports for a variety of reasons: to make friends, to stay active, and, first and foremost, to have fun. Unfortunately, the presence of a bully on a team has the potential to overshadow all of the best parts of playing youth sports. According to the National Alliance for Youth Sports, one in seven children in grades K – 12 is a victim of bullying or is a bully themselves. The group dynamics of a sports team can make young athletes especially susceptible to bullying. Read More
5 Tips for Throwing a Kid-Friendly Super Bowl Party
Here at Rocky Top Sports World, we consider the Super Bowl to be an unofficial national holiday! Much like Thanksgiving, the Super Bowl brings people together for a night of friends, family, food, and fun. Read More
5 Strategies for Saving Money on Youth Sports
It’s no secret that playing youth sports comes with its fair share of expenses. Between the cost of equipment, team dues, and traveling, money spent on children’s athletics can add up quickly. Fortunately, there are a number of tips and tricks parents can employ to stay under budget. Rocky Top Sports World has put together five of our favorite strategies for saving money on youth sports. Read More
4 Tips for Planning a “Tourna-Cation” in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
The tourna-cation is one of America’s hottest new travel trends! As we detailed in a previous article, a “tourna-cation” happens when a family plans a vacation around their child’s sports tournament. Combining a vacation with sports travel is a great way to make the most of your time together as a family, all while saving money in the process. Read More
5 Tips for Taking Awesome Youth Sports Photos
If you’re anything like the parents who come to Rocky Top Sports World, you probably love taking pictures of your kids playing sports! Having some high-quality photos of your young athlete can be great for sharing with relatives, making scrapbooks, and enhancing your Christmas cards. Of course, your kids will also love seeing what they look like in action! Read More
Top 7 Tips for Preventing Youth Sports Injuries
Nothing ruins a youth sports season like an injury. Missing games or sitting on the sidelines is decidedly less fun than being on the field. Fortunately, there are a number of preventative measures that young athletes can take to reduce the risk of injury. To help you stay happy and healthy, Rocky Top Sports World has put together seven helpful tips for preventing youth sports injuries. Read More
The Rise of the Tourna-cation: Youth Sports Tourism Becomes $9 Billion Industry
Here at Rocky Top Sports World, we are witnessing firsthand one of the nation’s fastest-growing travel trends: the tourna-cation. Families from all across America are increasingly combining their vacations with their children’s travel sports events. The rise of these so-called tourna-cations has made youth sports tourism a $9 billion industry! Read More