BRINGING THE COLLEGE SPORTS COMMUNITY TOGETHER

Education. Preparation. Connection. Community.

Throughout the year, SSPA brings together athletes, parents, coaches, clubs, agents, educators and other members of the sports community through events designed to educate, prepare and connect.

Our goal is to build a stronger support system around young athletes — both in Sweden and as they prepare for opportunities abroad.

One of our signature events will be the annual Send-Off Weekend.

Each year, we will bring together athletes who are preparing to leave Sweden for high school or college opportunities in the United States that fall. Moving to the other side of the world is about much more than basketball. The Send-Off Weekend will prepare athletes for the realities of living, studying, competing, and becoming independent in a new country.

Athletes will receive practical preparation on topics such as U.S. phone plans, banking and opening an account, driver's licenses, insurance and healthcare, transportation, travel, housing, managing money, American school and college culture, communication with coaches, homesickness and mental well-being, personal safety, NCAA responsibilities, NIL, and what to do when something goes wrong.

Just as importantly, they will meet other Swedish athletes making the same journey, creating a network they can rely on once they arrive in the United States.

Other events will include:

• Annual Conference — our flagship gathering bringing together the different parts of the youth sports ecosystem.

• Agent Summit — education, standards, best practices and dialogue between agents, families and the Scandinavian sports community.

• College Summit — focused on recruiting, eligibility, academics, scholarships, NCAA rules and preparing for college athletics.

• Youth Summit — an educational and inspirational event designed specifically for young athletes.

• Awards Gala — recognizing athletes, coaches, parents, clubs and others who positively impact Scandinavian youth sports.

• Leadership Forum — bringing together decision-makers from clubs, federations, schools, sports organizations and the private sector to discuss how we improve the system.

• Parent Forum — giving parents practical education, access to experts and a place to discuss the challenges families face while supporting young athletes.