What is Schoolyard Sports?

At Schoolyard Sports, we believe that after-school programs should be engaging, accessible, and developmentally enriching.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are committed to providing high-quality, multi-sport classes that introduce children to Golf, Volleyball, Pickleball, and Lacrosse in a safe, supportive, and fun environment.

Our experienced coaches, all background-checked through the State of Oregon and trained in our child-friendly curriculum, create a positive atmosphere where kids develop skills, confidence, and a love for sports. We provide all necessary equipment, making it easy and convenient for parents.

Our curriculum allows us to teach sports in spaces at schools that cannot accommodate the traditional “game” version of the sports we offer. Through a creative coaching focus on “skill development” and use of specific equipment we can offer these sports in almost any open space at a school.

Class registration fees mostly go to paying highly qualified coaches for their time. All of our coaches have another career or are in school and choose to coach 1 or 2 days a week to provide this formative after-school sports experience to local elementary school students. Other costs include facilities fees, equipment costs, and normal business expenses. All income is invested back into the organization.

Why Schoolyard Sports?

In 2023, after nearly two decades working with Portland’s leading global sports brands and seven years coaching his sons’ youth soccer, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse teams, David Cho recognized a gap in youth sports.

Young children typically enjoy trying a new sport skill for about 15–20 minutes before it becomes repetitive. At the same time, for parents, the most convenient time for extracurricular activities is immediately after school. That’s why Schoolyard Sports designed its Golf Multi-Sport class—to provide structured, engaging 15–20 minute sessions for four different sports within a fun, 70–90 minute after-school program.

Golf, Volleyball, Pickleball, and Lacrosse are all sports that require technical skill development, yet most programs don’t introduce them until later elementary school. By offering brief but consistent exposure at an earlier age (K–2nd grade), Schoolyard Sports helps kids build a strong foundation while keeping them engaged. We believe that 15 minutes of golf each week for six weeks is far more effective—and enjoyable—than a single 90-minute session. Introducing these sports casually at a younger age gives kids the opportunity to develop fundamental movement skills before encountering them in more competitive settings in 3rd–5th grade.

Even if none of these sports become a child’s primary focus, the structured format of our program—moving through stations, trying new skills, learning patience, and following a practice routine—sets kids up for success in any sport they pursue later.

David is now bringing this innovative after-school model to a select number of schools in the greater Portland area, ensuring more kids have access to a high-quality, multi-sport program designed for both skill-building and fun.

Meet the Coaches