About Play For Sport
Play For Sport was founded and is directed by Michael and Ruthi Elliott of Flower
Mound, Texas where they reside with their twin boys. The idea of Play For sport was
born out of their experiences with their children entering organized sports.
Since children now begin sports at an age when they don’t really understand the
concept of competition and commitment, this combination makes for a lot of
opportunities for game day meltdowns when other players aren’t sharing or taking
turns!
When the Elliott twins joined T-Ball and Soccer at an early age, Michael and Ruthi
encountered many of such challenges including a lack of interest from 1 twin in soccer
from after the first week of the season (while the other loved it) and the other twin
started disliking T-ball after just three weeks of the baseball season (while, of course,
the other twin now loved this game). All of this happened during their first seasons of
each sport.
Thus was born the idea for Play For Sport, to give young children an opportunity to try
sports before they commit to an entire season of one sport. To give them the
opportunity to learn the skills they need in a friendly, non-competitive environment
where they can ask questions and not be embarrassed when they aren’t able to do a
skill on first attempt. Michael’s experience playing and coaching sports and Ruthi’s
experience working with young children were the perfect combination.
About The Play For Sport Management Team
The Play For Sport Management Team brings an invaluable combination of
experience and training.
Mike Elliott - President and Chief Executive Officer
Mike has loved working with children all his life. He started teaching jr. golf camps at
the age of 16. He started, owned and operated his own Tae Kwon Do studio where
the primary student base was below the age of 15. When Mike moved to Lubbock,
Texas to attend Tech Tech University he taught children Tae Kwon Do for the next 4
years. Mike graduated from Texas Tech University in December 1993 where he
obtained, and still maintains, his Texas’ Teacher certification to teach secondary
education, and he has been involved in teaching ever since.
Ruthi Elliott – Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
Ruthi owned and operated a children’s fitness program for 4 years prior to joining her
husband in the development of Play For Sport.
Her training and experience working with preschool aged children helped shape the
approach of teaching young children in a non-competitive and encouraging
environment. Play For Sport curriculums are highly structured to help children of this
age feel safe and encouraged to do their best.
Ruthi is an NPC figure competitor and brings a wealth of fitness and nutritional
knowledge to the program as well. She knows the vital importance of teaching children
at an early age to take care of their bodies and to understand how they work to instill
healthy habits to last a lifetime. Relating healthy habits to performance on the field is a
natural progression and a large part of Play For Sport’s preschool curriculum.
Martin Salinas – Director of Training & Program Development
Martin Salinas is a graduate of Alief Hastings High School in Houston, Tx where he
participated in baseball, basketball and football. He was a 2 year captain of the
basketball which led to his decision to be a student-athlete at the University of Texas
at Dallas (2003-2007). As a 4-year student athlete and 3 year basketball Captain,
Martin finished his basketball career holding 17 basketball records including UTD’s All-
Time leading scorer. Through out his time at UTD, Martin was a counselor for several
UTD Athletic Sports camps including basketball and tennis.
In December 2007, Martin graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After graduation, Martin played
professional basketball in Mexico. He is currently a mentor and personal basketball
instructor to many promising athletes. His passion for sports and to help others
improve comes second to none.
Once Martin began coaching for Play For Sport he quickly became the most sought
after coach. His love for sports and children made him a perfect fit! Martin has a
contagious passion for sports and has an amazing ability teach and make learning
sports fun for kids of all ages.
Mound, Texas where they reside with their twin boys. The idea of Play For sport was
born out of their experiences with their children entering organized sports.
Since children now begin sports at an age when they don’t really understand the
concept of competition and commitment, this combination makes for a lot of
opportunities for game day meltdowns when other players aren’t sharing or taking
turns!
When the Elliott twins joined T-Ball and Soccer at an early age, Michael and Ruthi
encountered many of such challenges including a lack of interest from 1 twin in soccer
from after the first week of the season (while the other loved it) and the other twin
started disliking T-ball after just three weeks of the baseball season (while, of course,
the other twin now loved this game). All of this happened during their first seasons of
each sport.
Thus was born the idea for Play For Sport, to give young children an opportunity to try
sports before they commit to an entire season of one sport. To give them the
opportunity to learn the skills they need in a friendly, non-competitive environment
where they can ask questions and not be embarrassed when they aren’t able to do a
skill on first attempt. Michael’s experience playing and coaching sports and Ruthi’s
experience working with young children were the perfect combination.
About The Play For Sport Management Team
The Play For Sport Management Team brings an invaluable combination of
experience and training.
Mike Elliott - President and Chief Executive Officer
Mike has loved working with children all his life. He started teaching jr. golf camps at
the age of 16. He started, owned and operated his own Tae Kwon Do studio where
the primary student base was below the age of 15. When Mike moved to Lubbock,
Texas to attend Tech Tech University he taught children Tae Kwon Do for the next 4
years. Mike graduated from Texas Tech University in December 1993 where he
obtained, and still maintains, his Texas’ Teacher certification to teach secondary
education, and he has been involved in teaching ever since.
Ruthi Elliott – Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
Ruthi owned and operated a children’s fitness program for 4 years prior to joining her
husband in the development of Play For Sport.
Her training and experience working with preschool aged children helped shape the
approach of teaching young children in a non-competitive and encouraging
environment. Play For Sport curriculums are highly structured to help children of this
age feel safe and encouraged to do their best.
Ruthi is an NPC figure competitor and brings a wealth of fitness and nutritional
knowledge to the program as well. She knows the vital importance of teaching children
at an early age to take care of their bodies and to understand how they work to instill
healthy habits to last a lifetime. Relating healthy habits to performance on the field is a
natural progression and a large part of Play For Sport’s preschool curriculum.
Martin Salinas – Director of Training & Program Development
Martin Salinas is a graduate of Alief Hastings High School in Houston, Tx where he
participated in baseball, basketball and football. He was a 2 year captain of the
basketball which led to his decision to be a student-athlete at the University of Texas
at Dallas (2003-2007). As a 4-year student athlete and 3 year basketball Captain,
Martin finished his basketball career holding 17 basketball records including UTD’s All-
Time leading scorer. Through out his time at UTD, Martin was a counselor for several
UTD Athletic Sports camps including basketball and tennis.
In December 2007, Martin graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After graduation, Martin played
professional basketball in Mexico. He is currently a mentor and personal basketball
instructor to many promising athletes. His passion for sports and to help others
improve comes second to none.
Once Martin began coaching for Play For Sport he quickly became the most sought
after coach. His love for sports and children made him a perfect fit! Martin has a
contagious passion for sports and has an amazing ability teach and make learning
sports fun for kids of all ages.
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