Steel Sports Impact Report Highlights Strong Growth in Athlete Confidence, Mental Health, and Leadership

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BRIDGEWATER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 17, 2026--

Steel Sports’ 2025 Impact Report shows young athletes in its programs are developing not only as competitors, but also as leaders and citizens. The findings reinforce the organization’s mission to put kids first and help them reach their potential on and off the field.

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The report highlights the continued impact of the Steel Coaching System – The Lasorda Way, which equips coaches with the tools to build positive, trust‑based relationships with athletes that support athletic development, character growth, and long‑term well‑being.

At the center of the Steel Sports experience are the organization’s Core Values—Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, and Commitment. Through the Steel Coaching System – The Lasorda Way, coaches reinforce these values through daily interactions, helping athletes apply them beyond sports to their lives in school, at home, and in their communities.

“Sports should be a vehicle to help kids build confidence, character, and life skills,” said Martin Brown, President and CEO of Steel Sports. “This report shows that when coaches lead with purpose and put kids first, athletes grow not only in their sport, but in character, leadership, and life readiness. Our coaches at Steel Sports bring this to life every day through the work they do with our athletes.”

For the third straight year, athletes reported that athletic development, competition, and having fun are the top reasons they participate in Steel Sports programs. Athletes consistently cited having fun as essential to both practices and games, underscoring Steel Sports’ belief that enjoyment is critical to sustained participation and development.

Key findings include:

Athlete Development

• 97% score “good” or “excellent” in grit and growth mindset
• 89% score “good” or “excellent” in positive mental health

Values & Character Development

• 100% report a strong understanding and use of Core Values
• 72% say Core Values are applied off the field

Parent Perspectives

• 81% of parents believe sports support academic success
• 94% believe Steel Sports prepares athletes for future careers
• 100% of Steel parents say their child is implementing the Core Values off the field

Coaches are central to these outcomes, according to the report. Through the Steel Coaching System – The Lasorda Way, coaches are trained to create environments that both challenge and support young athletes, enabling them to feel motivated, connected, and confident.

“When we talk about impact, we’re talking about life outcomes,” said Steve Jones, Senior Vice President of The Lasorda Way. “Steel athletes are gaining the skills, resilience, and confidence to lead in school, careers, and their communities—and that’s the ultimate measure of success.”

Steel Sports is a subsidiary of Steel Partners, which shares and supports the Kids First philosophy across its family of businesses. Together, Steel Partners and Steel Sports are extending the reach of the Steel Coaching System – The Lasorda Way by sharing coaching and leadership resources, sponsoring youth teams, hosting free youth sports camps, and investing in community‑based initiatives across the United States and globally. By embedding Kids First principles into the communities where its businesses operate, Steel Partners is forging future leaders—using sport as a platform to create positive, lasting impact for young people everywhere.

The full 2025 Impact Report can be viewed online at www.steelsports.com/impact.

About Steel Sports:
Steel Sports is a social impact organization dedicated to inspiring young athletes to reach their potential on and off the field. Through the Steel Coaching System – The Lasorda Way, Steel Sports empowers kids to grow beyond the game and provides coaches the tools to develop athletes as competitors, leaders, and citizens. For more information, visit steelsports.com.

About Steel Partners:
Steel Partners Holdings L.P. ( www.steelpartners.com ) is a diversified global holding company that owns and operates businesses and has significant interests in various companies, including diversified industrial products, energy, defense, supply chain management and logistics, direct marketing, banking, and youth sports.

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CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT

Nathan Clinkenbeard

Senior VP, Marketing & Communications

859-380-0216

[email protected]

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NEW JERSEY

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FAMILY SPORTS CONSUMER TEENS PARENTING CHILDREN GENERAL SPORTS

SOURCE: Steel Sports

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PUB: 03/17/2026 08:45 AM/DISC: 03/17/2026 08:45 AM

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