National Academy of Athletics launches Northeast Indiana franchise with Steve Helm

The National Academy of Athletics has opened a new Northeast Indiana franchise led by longtime coach and educator Steve Helm. The expansion is designed to bring youth sports, school partnerships and community-based recreation programs to children ages 3 to 14 across several counties.

Why it matters: - The new franchise expands youth sports access in Northeast Indiana for children ages 3 to 14. - The program is built around partnerships with schools, cities and community organizations. - The effort aims to add affordable, skill-building recreation options for families across the region.

What happened: - The National Academy of Athletics launched a new franchise in Northeast Indiana led by Steve Helm, Area Captain for Northeast Indiana. - Helm will work with schools, cities and community groups to deliver recreational sports opportunities for children. - The territory covers DeKalb and Steuben counties, plus portions of Allen, Noble, Whitley, LaGrange and Huntington counties.

The details: - Helm brings more than 30 years of experience in youth basketball development. - Helm has 14 years of college basketball coaching experience, including eight years as a head coach. - Helm spent nine years working with Division I basketball camps. - Helm’s background includes athletic administration, camp leadership and event management. - Helm serves as Assistant Professor of Athletics & Recreation at Trine University. - Helm teaches sport management, facility management and university experience courses at Trine. - Helm holds a master’s degree in Sports Administration. - Helm owns and directs a youth basketball development program and a nonprofit youth organization in Northeast Indiana. - Helm has coached or worked at Notre Dame, Purdue and Valparaiso University. - Helm also has experience with PGC Basketball Camps and NBC Basketball Camps. - Helm is a former NAIA All-American and Frontier Conference MVP. - Helm is a member of the Montana State University Northern Athletic Hall of Fame. - NAofA programs available locally include sports camps, clinics, after-school programs and physical education supplementation. - The programs emphasize age-appropriate instruction, teamwork and a welcoming environment for children trying new activities. - Families and organizations can connect with the Northeast Indiana team at more information.

Between the lines: - NAofA is using a franchise model to scale youth sports through local leaders with coaching and community ties. - Helm’s mix of college coaching, university teaching and nonprofit youth work gives the expansion a strong local relationship base. - The focus on schools and parks departments suggests NAofA wants to embed programs into existing community infrastructure rather than build a standalone sports operation.

What's next: - NAofA and Helm will pursue local partnerships across Northeast Indiana. - Schools and parks and recreation departments can evaluate NAofA offerings for camps, clinics and in-school programming. - The franchise will likely grow through community outreach to families and youth-serving organizations in the region.

The bottom line: - NAofA is betting that experienced local leadership and school-based partnerships can widen youth sports access across Northeast Indiana.