Rising Stars

What Rising Stars does

Rising Stars is a Canadian nonprofit organization (operating as "Rising Stars Athletics and Education" / "Rise Above the Rest") that delivers youth athletics training and education programming across Ontario. The organization operates two distinct divisions: an Athletics division offering programs such as basketball, soccer, softball, track and field, dryland training, physical literacy, sport leadership, and a Play Academy; and an Education division delivering leadership, empowerment, awareness, and development programming, including Indigenous education, life skills through sport, mentoring, and youth transitions. Programs are offered at FUNdamental, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, targeting children and youth aged 5-17, with additional inclusive offerings such as wheelchair racing for youth with disabilities.

The organization delivers programming through two physical training facilities — Dominion of the Plate in Brantford and the Mississauga Tigers Den — plus seasonal summer camps and clinics at partner venues such as Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre and Ray Lewis Track & Field Centre at Mohawk Sports Park. Enrollment is handled directly through a WooCommerce-powered e-commerce storefront on riseabovetherest.ca, with registration fees set on a pay-as-you-go basis ($275 for Summer Camps 2026, $125 for the Run, Jump, Throw Clinic) plus applicable HST, processed via Stripe. A wheelchair racing program is offered at no charge. Content marketing is conducted through a blog and organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), with email newsletter capture for ongoing parent and community communication.

Revenue derives primarily from per-participant program fees and likely supplementary grants or sponsorship, given nonprofit status. The leadership team is credentialed, anchored by Founding Partner, President and Chair Dr. Andrew Peters (Ph.D.), alongside former national team athletes serving as technical and regional directors. The organization is privately held with no disclosed venture or institutional funding and no acquisitions, partnerships, or major corporate transactions on record.

Name

Rising Stars

Legal name

Rising Stars

Website

https://riseabovetherest.ca/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rising Stars is a Canadian nonprofit that delivers youth athletics training and education programming (athletics academies, physical literacy, Indigenous education, leadership) to children aged 5-17 across Ontario through two training facilities in Brantford and Mississauga and seasonal summer camps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports and Education Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF), Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

Keywords

• Youth athletics training
• Sport leadership programs
• Physical literacy education
• Youth mentorship services
• Community sports development

Headquarters

HQ city

Ancaster

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Summer Camp Programs: One-time registration fees for summer camp programs for youth aged 5-17, focusing on athletic skill development and physical literacy.
2. Athletic Clinics and Training: Fee-based registration for specialized clinics including Run, Jump, Throw clinics and wheelchair racing programs.
3. Program Fees with HST: Transaction-based fees with applicable taxes (HST) added at checkout, processed through Stripe payment gateway.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rising Stars is a nonprofit youth-organization delivering athletics and education programming for youth ages 5-17 across Ontario. It sells registrations for summer camps, sport-specific academies (basketball, soccer, softball, track and field), physical literacy and play programs, athletic clinics (Run, Jump, Throw; wheelchair racing), and education programs covering Indigenous education, youth leadership, mentorship, life skills, and parent/community engagement. Programs are delivered in-person at its Brantford and Mississauga training facilities and registered through its WooCommerce-powered website with Stripe-based payments.

Product overview

Rising Stars is a youth sports and education development organization offering two main divisions: Athletics and Education. The Athletics division provides grassroots and advanced sports programs including Sport Leadership, Softball Academy, Basketball Academy, Soccer Academy, Dryland Training, Lil Stars Sports, Physical Literacy, Track and Field, and Play Academy. The Education division delivers Leadership, Empowerment, Awareness and Development programs for students, schools, and communities, including Indigenous Education, Youth Leadership, Life Skills Through Sport, LEAD Mentorship, and Youth Awareness & Empowerment. The organization also operates seasonal Summer Camps and specific programs like Run, Jump, Throw Clinic and Wheelchair Racing. Programs are available at FUNdamental, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, serving youth and community members in the Brantford and Mississauga areas of Ontario.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Camps 2026 Seasonal summer camp program helping children explore sports, develop athletic skills, and stay active in a supportive environment. Priced at $275.00 per participant.
• Basketball Academy Basketball development academy providing skill training and competitive opportunities for youth athletes within the Rising Stars Athletics division.
• Soccer Academy Soccer academy offering training programs for youth athletes at various skill levels within the Rising Stars Athletics division.
• Softball Academy Softball training academy offering play, training, and competition opportunities for youth athletes; directed by former Canadian national team athlete Erin Forman.
• Track and Field Program Track and field programs offering training and competition in various athletic events, including para-athletics options, delivered by Technical Director Val Seargeant.
• Run, Jump, Throw Clinic Age-appropriate athletics skills development program featuring innovative drills and challenges to help participants develop a love for athletics. Priced at $125.00 per participant at Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre.
• Wheelchair Racing Program Inclusive wheelchair racing program offered at the Ray Lewis Track & Field Centre at Mohawk Sports Park, available free of charge to widen access for youth with disabilities.
• Dryland Training Off-season training program designed to build strength, speed, and agility for athletes within the Rising Stars Athletics division.
• Lil Stars Sports Early sport foundations program for young children introducing fundamental movement skills as part of the FUNdamental Athletics tier.
• Physical Literacy Program Program focused on developing fundamental movement skills and physical competency for lifelong physical activity, delivered across the FUNdamental tier.
• Play Academy Play-based physical literacy program designed to develop fundamental movement skills through engaging activities for children.
• Sport Leadership Program Team building and sports leadership development program designed to help participants become better team players and leaders within the Athletics division.
• Indigenous Education Program Culturally relevant education program establishing cultural connections and supporting Indigenous students, delivered through the Education division with LEAD Facilitation.
• Youth Leadership Program Leadership development program empowering youth to become positive leaders in their communities within the Education division.
• Life Skills Through Sport Active awareness workshop using sports to teach essential life skills to youth, delivered within the Education division.
• LEAD Mentorship Program Mentorship program connecting youth with experienced mentors for guidance and support, delivered within the Education division.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 years of success in youth and community development through athletics and education

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ParticipACTION: Canada's national physical activity promotion nonprofit with broad public-health mandate. Overlaps with Rising Stars' physical literacy and youth active-living objectives at a national awareness level rather than direct program delivery.
• YMCA Ontario: Established regional nonprofit operating youth recreation, sports, and leadership programs across Ontario. Comparable broad youth-recreation offering though with much larger footprint and facility base.

Direct peers

• Sport for Life (Canadian Sport for Life): Canadian nonprofit focused on physical literacy and sport development across the country. Highly comparable to Rising Stars' Athletics division (Physical Literacy, FUNdamental movement, Lil Stars Sports) and shares the integrated sport-development-plus-education ethos.
• Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities: Charity that funds youth sport registration fees across Canada. Directly comparable as a youth-sport access nonprofit serving Canadian children and families, including in Ontario where Rising Stars operates.
• Right To Play: Global nonprofit using sport and play to educate and empower disadvantaged children. Comparable in combining sport instruction with leadership/education outcomes and serving Indigenous and underserved youth globally.
• KidSport Canada: National nonprofit that removes financial barriers to youth sport participation for Canadian children. Comparable mission (access to youth athletics), overlapping target population (children aged 5–17), and similar nonprofit funding model.

Emerging players

• Boys & Girls Club of Canada: National youth development nonprofit offering after-school programs including sports and leadership. Comparable youth-development-plus-recreation orientation, though with a broader (not sport-specific) mandate.
• MLSE Foundation: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment's charitable arm focused on youth access to sport in Ontario/Canada. Comparable target geography and mission; backed by a major professional sports owner so funding scale is greater.

Others

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada: National youth mentorship nonprofit. Overlaps with Rising Stars' LEAD Mentorship and mentoring programs targeting youth development outcomes, though not focused on athletics.

Regional players

• Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (Ophea): Ontario-based nonprofit supporting physical literacy and health education in schools. Comparable in serving Ontario schools and youth with physical literacy curriculum, parallel to Rising Stars' school outreach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RisingStarsAE
• Facebookfacebook.com/risingstarsathleticsandeducation
• Instagraminstagram.com/risingstarsae

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rising Stars