Beyond Sticks was founded in August 2011 when Coach Chrissy (Lewis) Summers worked with just 11 athletes. Fast forward to today, we now have around 1,000 athletes of all skill levels—from beginner to elite—across multiple locations. While the numbers have grown and the organization has expanded, our core message has always remained the same.

In 2023, Beyond Sticks entered a new chapter under the leadership of Heidi Lewis, who brings her passion for joyful, intentional, and holistic athlete development to the program. Heidi continues to build on Chrissy’s vision, ensuring that our athletes and families experience a program that prioritizes what’s best for the kids—on and off the pitch.

So many sports organizations only focus on the technical and tactical piece of the game, missing the most important piece: the space between our ears! At Beyond Sticks, we teach student-athletes to:

• Assess and build their character.

• Grow into reliable and supportive teammates.

• Develop internal confidence that extends beyond the pitch.

Over the past decade, we’ve created and implemented more than 50 unique Play Beyond the Game lessons that bring these principles to life. Whether during a warm-up, a cool-down, or a game-day reflection, these lessons equip athletes with tools for leadership and personal growth—skills they’ll carry far beyond the game.