Who We Are & What we do
Where passion for the game meets a passion for people.
Free Leagues was founded on a simple but powerful conviction — that zip code and income should never decide which kids get to play and which ones don't. We exist to change that, one young person at a time.
Here's how it works:
MEET EVERY KID WHERE THEY ARE
We don’t require prior experience, a certain skill level, or any specific background. Whether a child has never held a ball or has been playing for years, Free Leagues has a place for them.
DEVELOP THE WHOLE PERSON
Athletic development and life skills mentorship work hand in hand. On the field we build skill, discipline, and teamwork. Off the field we build communicators, problem-solvers, and future leaders.
CREATE A CULTURE OF BELONGING
We are intentional about building environments where every young person, including those with learning disabilities, autism, and special needs, feels safe, supported, and genuinely part of the team.
REMOVE THE BARRIERS
Free means free. No registration fees, no equipment costs, no financial hoops to jump through. We handle it so families don’t have to. Because nothing should stand between a kid and their potential.
Every kid deserves a shot. We mean that literally.
Youth sports in America is facing a crisis of access. The average family now spends over $1,000 a year for one child to play organized sports — a cost that has risen 46% since 2019. For families in underserved communities, that number isn't a budget line. It's a barrier. And when kids can't get in the game, they miss out on far more than athletics.
Free Leagues was created to tear that barrier down. Founded in San Diego, we provide completely free leagues, clinics, and coaching for youth ages 5 through high school in underserved communities and every neighborhood in between. No registration fees. No equipment costs. No catches. Just opportunity.
But we've always believed sports is the vehicle, not the destination. Alongside athletic programming, we provide real-life mentorship, helping young people build the communication skills, accountability, and confidence they'll need long after the final whistle blows.
MISSION & VISION
What we stand for and where we're going.
Our Mission
Every kid deserves a shot. Free Leagues empowers youth in underserved communities through world-class athletic coaching, competitive leagues, and real-life mentorship — because sports teaches more than how to win. It teaches how to lead, communicate, bounce back, and believe in yourself. We meet every young person where they are, regardless of ability, background, or zip code — building not just athletes, but confident, accountable, and prepared young people ready to thrive on and off the field.
Our Vision
A world where every young person — regardless of zip code, ability, or background — has access to the mentorship, community, and opportunity to discover their full potential. We envision thriving communities shaped by the young leaders Free Leagues helps develop today: people who compete with heart, lead with character, and give back with purpose — creating a cycle of opportunity for the next generation.
The person behind the mission.
Jo Shep, Founder & Executive Director
"I've coached kids on the field and worked with them in classrooms. I've seen what happens when a young person is seen, challenged, and supported — and I've seen what happens when they're not. Free Leagues exists because I refuse to let zip code or circumstance decide what a kid gets access to. Every child has potential. Our job is to make sure nothing gets in the way of it."
A multi-sport athlete, high school football and basketball coach, and lifelong student of the game, our founder has spent his career at the intersection of athletics and human development. After running a successful wellness and personal training business for over a decade, he brought that same discipline and belief in people to the classroom, working as a behavioral intervention specialist with elementary through high school students with special needs ranging from learning disabilities to autism.
What ties it all together is a deep, unwavering belief in young people and a conviction that kindness, access, and the right environment can unlock potential in any kid, anywhere.
One shot can change everything.
