LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — Life classes in youth athletics have a tendency to follow children for years, and even a lifetime.
Past recollections of competitors usually stay with the majority of those that reside to nonetheless share accounts of these days to anybody prepared to hear.
Lucas Armstrong, a key neighborhood determine in the metropolis of Pine Bluff, has remained steadfast in his effort to guarantee these instances that formed numerous younger individuals by no means go in useless by way of athletics, mentorship, and neighborhood service.
Through the Youth Basketball Association, these tales proceed to echo right now amongst those that have been below his tutelage.
“So when I took over the team, they were the Merrel Center Tarheels,” stated Armstrong.
“Jacqueline Robinson, over the Merrill Center, she is the one who was dealing with kids, trying to keep them off the street. I just came in and gave them basketball structure.”
During discussions with Robinson, Armstrong navigated by way of teaching alternatives till getting his first teaching alternative below YBA in 2016.
“As that was happening, we had Parks and Recreation basketball league [Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation] starting, and that’s when we started the Tarheels,” stated Robinson.
One participant, out of the unique 75 who acquired a possibility to swimsuit up and compete didn’t take the alternative with no consideration.
Lakeith Smith expressed gratitude for Robinson and Armstrong’s effort in giving younger individuals an outlet, even when it meant assembly them the place they’re to assist see them attempt.
“She is really like the foundation. As long as we stayed out of trouble, she wanted to be a part of it, said Smith.
“She had a summer season faculty program, and he [Lucas Armstrong] used to come up there and I assume he noticed us play sooner or later and wished to begin a group.”
Smith later went on to become the first recipient of a scholarship award worth $500 under YBL.
After one team started up in 2016, even more began to sprout under the league. The league name was titled “Youth Basketball Association”, until Armstrong’s arrival.
“I grew up in it,” said Armstrong, on his early experiences in YBA.
The Pine Bluff native later returned with a new approach that prioritizes community, looking to help strengthen the league.
“When I checked out it the first 12 months, it had gone down. We did not have that many children. When we took it over that first 12 months, and we introduced it again up immediately. I introduced the neighborhood in, and that is how we began to construct the league again up.”
Under Armstrong, the league leaned more into community and displayed acts of gratitude to those who may or may not even support.
Outreach efforts, as well as additional acts of kindness started to spread across Pine Bluff as the league continued to grow.
“We began doing back-to-school occasions, honor applications the place we acknowledge those that got here earlier than us,” said Armstrong.
Since 2017, under his leadership, YBL has remained a basketball hub for youth who have went on to continue playing after their time is up.
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As Amstrong’s time with YBA/YBL reaches a decade, he desires to introduce a new tool that millions of people across the U.S. can access and launch their own youth sports league.
Structured as an immersive, innovative resource for an aspiring coach or league owner, the Playbook Academy has a slew of information offered in a layout for users to learn at their own pace.
“My objective is to go round the United States talking and serving to construct communities by way of the youth sports business.”
Launched in November of 2025, the Community Playbook Academy offers online courses that youth sports organizations of all sizes can benefit from.
It is subscription based, priced at $65 a month.
Aside from the modules, online lessons will be provided every week on how to build a sports organization.
“It covers every thing I’ve carried out over the final 10 years. There are individuals on the market who aspire to assist children by way of sports, however do not understand how similar to I did not know at one level,” said Armstrong.
YBL’s impact on athletes have carried over to those who also feel the need to provide tools and guidance — a new generation of individuals aiming to push youth athletics to greater heights in Pine Bluff.
“It’s mainly exhibiting you step-by-step how to create your group, how to get it below a non-profit, and actually present you ways necessary it’s to develop the expertise inside the league,” said Ryan Hayes, a mentee under Armstrong.
“In order for you to put a product out, and for individuals to be receptive to that product, you might have to sacrifice and provides time which is what we do now to practice these children.”
Hayes, through the mentorship of Armstrong, started his own training organization for youth, called the Dribble Academy.
When asked what’s the best approach to help push youth development in sports, Hayes emphasized engagement.
“You have to be fingers on with it, which requires sacrificing loads of your time. So with me being alongside him when he was creating the playbook, I’m really seeing what’s on paper, however what’s really in actuality as effectively.”