Reality Sports

What Reality Sports does

Reality Sports is a 501(c)(3) Christian sports ministry founded in 2006 and headquartered in Sumner, Washington, that operates competitive teams and donation-based open training programs across five sports: Baseball, Strength & Conditioning, Tennis, Wrestling, and Volleyball. The organization serves youth athletes ages 5-18 (with adult cross-training extensions) through life-on-life coaching relationships that integrate athletic instruction with gospel-centered discipleship, anchored by the proprietary 4Foundations© framework (Coaching Excellence, Intentional Messages, Competing Upside Down© philosophy, and DiscipleRShip). In 2024 the organization reported training 4,096 unique athletes with 17,083 total training attendances and delivering 1,032 gospel messages.

The technical stack is intentionally lightweight and outsourced: a Wix-hosted marketing website, the ChurchCenter platform for program registration and donations, EventShare for event management, and a third-party GearUpSports storefront for branded Nike apparel. There is no proprietary application, API, or SDK; the organization's intellectual property is concentrated in its registered trademarks (4Foundations©, Competing Upside Down©, JUMPSTART© Athletics, DiscipleRShip) and its branded coaching methodology rather than in software. A ten-person Summer Internship program (ages 18+) functions as a leadership-pipeline offering.

Revenue is generated through a blended nonprofit model: open training operates on a pay-what-you-can donation basis, competitive teams collect seasonal fees after tryouts, branded apparel is sold online, and a portfolio of annual fundraising events (Run For Reality 5K, Volley In The Valley grass volleyball tournament, Pickleball Tournament, Annual Dinner with Upside Down Auction, VB Dessert Fundraiser) supplements individual donor contributions. Customer acquisition is driven primarily by church-network referrals and word-of-mouth within faith communities in the Pacific Northwest, with the organization maintaining core partnerships with at least four named local churches that supply volunteers, coaches, and families.

Name

Reality Sports

Legal name

Reality Sports

Website

https://realitysports.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Reality Sports is a 501(c)(3) Christian sports ministry based in Sumner, Washington, delivering donation-based training and competitive teams in five sports for youth ages 5-18, integrating athletic coaching with gospel-centered discipleship under a proprietary 4Foundations© framework.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Youth Sports Training

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.) (MPAKAJAB), Recreational & Intramural Sports Programs (MPAKACAG)

Keywords

• Faith-based sports training
• Youth athletic development
• Competitive sports teams
• Christian sports ministry
• Volleyball baseball training

Headquarters

HQ city

Sumner

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Reality Sports operates as a 501(c)(3) organization primarily funded through donations. The organization encourages supporters to donate to champion the mission of turning the world upside down through sport. Donation-based funding supports all programs including training, teams, and events.
2. Open Training (Donation-based): Training is offered on a donation basis across all sports programs. The organization states 'We believe everyone should give something, but it is up to each family to determine what they are willing and able to donate for the training.' This applies to volleyball, tennis, wrestling, strength & conditioning, and baseball programs.
3. Competitive Team Fees: Competitive teams have tryout/selection processes and include team fees. The RS Wrestling Club competitive Freestyle/Greco-Roman team requires an application process and team fee. Volleyball competitive club season runs November to April for ages 12 and up.
4. Apparel Sales: Reality Sports Official Gear is available to order online through GearUpSports.net, including Nike apparel. The organization sells branded merchandise and apparel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Reality Sports delivers faith-integrated athletic training and competitive teams across five sports (Baseball, Strength & Conditioning, Tennis, Wrestling, Volleyball) for youth ages 5-18, plus adult cross-training. Open training is offered on a donation basis while competitive teams involve tryouts and seasonal fees. Programming is anchored in the proprietary 4Foundations© framework and Competing Upside Down© philosophy, combining skill development with gospel-centered coaching and life-on-life discipleship.

Product overview

Reality Sports is a 501(c)(3) Christian sports ministry offering a multi-sport Academy with sports training programs (Baseball, Strength & Conditioning, Tennis, Wrestling, Volleyball) and competitive teams for athletes ages 5-18. The organization utilizes a 4Foundations framework (Coaching Excellence, Intentional Messages, Competing Upside Down philosophy, and Discipleship) integrated into all programs. Programs operate on a donation-based open training model supplemented by competitive team opportunities. The organization also hosts fundraising events (Run For Reality 5K, Volley In The Valley, Pickleball Tournament, Annual Dinner, VB Dessert Fundraiser), offers a Summer Internship program, and sells official branded apparel. All registrations are managed through third-party platforms rather than a proprietary system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RS Academy Volleyball: A division within the volleyball program for athletes who desire a team experience focusing primarily on skill building and learning the game, and less on travel and tournament competition. The Academy will be held March - May for ages U11/U12 and U13-U15.
• Reality Sports Wrestling Club (RSWC)
• RS Strength & Conditioning
• JUMPSTART© Athletics
• Reality Sports Foundation

Products and services

• Baseball Program Provides baseball training in fundamental skills (throwing, catching, fielding, hitting) with competitive teams for ages 10U through 18U, seasonal training (fall, winter, spring, summer), and gospel-centered coaching philosophy.
• Strength & Conditioning Program Offers strength training throughout the year for all age groups and skill levels, including JUMPSTART© athletics for ages 5-10, middle/high school training, and adult cross training, with donation-based open training sessions.
• Tennis Program Provides tennis training for boys and girls ages 8-18 during July, featuring three practices per week with optional competition days and a culminating tournament, combining skill instruction with spiritual development.
• Wrestling Program Offers wrestling training in three styles (Folkstyle, Freestyle, Greco-Roman) for male and female wrestlers of all skill levels from beginner to advanced, with seasonal programs (fall high school prep, winter team, spring Freestyle, summer camps).
• Volleyball Program Provides competitive club volleyball teams (ages 12+) and RS Academy volleyball for skill-building, with seasonal open training, fall skills sessions, winter competition, spring development, and summer camps.
• Summer Internship Program A transformative summer experience limited to 10 interns (ages 18+) focused on integrating faith and sport, learning to coach athletes during camps, and investigating full-time sports ministry opportunities.
• Run For Reality 5K Annual 5K run and walk held in June celebrating the ministry's mission, with family activities and community engagement.
• Volley In The Valley Annual summer grass volleyball tournament bringing together participants to celebrate and support the ministry through sport.
• Pickleball Tournament Competitive summer pickleball tournament with divisions for all skill levels, raising funds to support physical, mental, spiritual, and social development of kids in the community.
• Annual Dinner Annual November dinner and Upside Down Auction celebrating what God is doing in the ministry, inviting partners to champion the mission.
• Annual VB Dessert Fundraiser Spring dessert fundraiser celebrating what God is doing in the ministry, inviting partners to host tables with family and friends.
• Reality Sports Apparel Store Official Reality Sports branded merchandise and apparel available for order online through GearUpSports, featuring Nike products.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,096 unique athletes trained in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Gospel Life ChurchcoreOthersPrimary partner church providing spiritual support and volunteer pipeline. Multiple staff members serve at Gospel Life Church including Kathryn Burke (current worship leader), Jill Madison (Deacon, Community Group Leader), Jake March (5th/6th grade teacher in Kids Ministry), Pat Burke (Security Lead for Kids Ministry), and Joe Walling (Part of Planting Team, served as Deacon).
• Summit Christian FellowshipcoreOthersPartner church with multiple staff connections. Matt Voss serves as Student Ministry Director, Ben Sansburn serves as pastor. Multiple coaches and volunteers attend including Kyle Vanderleest, Marcus Peterson. Located in Tacoma, WA.
• Lake Tapps Community ChurchsecondaryOthersFaith community partner with connections to Pam King (who has served in Children's Ministry, Nursery, and Women's Ministry), Damon DeLapp (member), and Mindy Klimkiewicz (Youth leader). Located in Lake Tapps, WA.
• Abundant Life Community ChurchsecondaryOthersFaith community partner with connections to Corinne McLeary (serves in youth group, kids ministry, and set-up crew). Located in Orting, WA.
• S&S Metal FabricationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Christian McClung State FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Home ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Dove Family DentistryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Safety ShirtzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Anchor HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• MotusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Good Life ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Stifle InvestmentsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Destination AthleteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Compass Counseling ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Aqua Care Pool and SpasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• Timmy D PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Run For Reality 5K, supporting the Strength and Conditioning ministry.
• SS Metal FabricationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Annual Dinner, supporting the ministry of Reality Sports.
• Courageous EndeavorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Annual Dinner, supporting the ministry of Reality Sports.
• Franich PlumbingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Annual Dinner, supporting the ministry of Reality Sports.
• CornerstoneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Annual Dinner, supporting the ministry of Reality Sports.
• RPD DevelopmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Annual Dinner, supporting the ministry of Reality Sports.
• Bergman ContractingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Annual Dinner, supporting the ministry of Reality Sports.
• New Direction Home ImprovementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Volley In The Valley grass volleyball tournament, supporting the ministry.
• Zetterberg Gregory DesignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Volley In The Valley grass volleyball tournament, supporting the ministry.
• Josh Hall Real Estate TeamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Volley In The Valley grass volleyball tournament, supporting the ministry.
• Liberty Road FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Volley In The Valley and Annual VB Dessert Fundraiser, supporting the ministry.
• 410 Dental AssociatesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Volley In The Valley grass volleyball tournament, supporting the ministry.
• New Direction Home ImprovementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Annual VB Dessert Fundraiser, supporting the ministry.
• Zetterberg Gregory DesignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Annual VB Dessert Fundraiser, supporting the ministry.
• Josh Hall Real Estate TeamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Annual VB Dessert Fundraiser, supporting the ministry.
• Summit Christian FellowshipminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Annual VB Dessert Fundraiser, supporting the ministry.
• Pat FredericksonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Pickleball Tournament, supporting the physical, mental, spiritual, and social development of kids.
• GearUpSportsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party e-commerce platform provider for Reality Sports Official Gear and Nike apparel. External platform at realitysportsfoundation.gearupsports.net.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA): National faith-based sports ministry integrating athletics with Christian discipleship via coaches, huddles, camps, and events. Directly comparable to Reality Sports in mission (gospel + sport), faith-coaching model, and youth outreach, but operates at a much larger national scale.
• SCORE International: A faith-based sports ministry running camps, retreats, and missions combining competitive athletics with Christian outreach. Comparable to Reality Sports' gospel-centered, coaching-driven approach, but operates primarily through camp-based and short-term retreat formats.
• Athletes in Action: The sports ministry of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) that integrates athletic competition with faith-based teaching, deployed nationally and internationally. Closely comparable to Reality Sports in mission (turning athletes toward Christ through sport) but at a much larger global scale.
• Upward Sports: A faith-based youth sports league provider with structured basketball, flag football, soccer, and cheer programs delivered through partner churches. Directly comparable to Reality Sports as a church-network-distributed youth sports program with gospel-integrated coaching, but at a franchised multi-sport national scale.

Broad incumbents

• i9 Sports: A national youth sports franchise offering recreational leagues and programs across multiple sports for kids ages 3–14. Comparable to Reality Sports in multi-sport youth athletics delivery, but secular and franchise-based rather than faith-based or donation-driven.
• Skyhawks Youth Sports: A national provider of youth sports classes, camps, and clinics across many sports for ages 4–14, delivered through partnerships with schools, parks, and recreation departments. Comparable to Reality Sports in offering structured youth-sports instruction across multiple sports, but secular and partnership-distributed rather than faith-based.
• D1 Training: A national franchise of athletic training and strength & conditioning centers for youth and adults, including sports performance training. Comparable to Reality Sports' Strength & Conditioning offering in training methodology and youth focus, but operating as a paid-membership fitness franchise rather than a faith-based donation-funded model.

Others

• Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ): Parent organization of Athletes in Action; a broad Christian ministry that has historically used sport as one of many outreach modalities. Comparable to Reality Sports as an enabling faith-network ecosystem, though its primary vehicle is not sport-specific.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/realitysports
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/RealitySports1
• Facebookfacebook.com/realitysportsfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/reality.sports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reality-sports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Reality Sports