“Our mission is to empower youth through dynamic sports experiences that build athletic skills, foster personal growth, and teach core life values. Through clinics, camps, and leagues in soccer, basketball, and football, we aim to develop well-rounded athletes who excel both on and off the field by promoting leadership, teamwork, and character.”

Our Story

Sports have the power to change a child’s life—not because of the trophies they win, but because of the confidence they build, the friendships they make, and the life lessons they carry with them long after the game is over.

That belief is what inspired Sports & Beyond MD. Founded in 2025 by Gary Lyst Jr., Sports & Beyond MD was created with one simple mission: to make high-quality youth sports instruction accessible, affordable, and fun for every child.

After more than 20 years of coaching youth sports and over 18 years as an educator working with early childhood and elementary-aged students, Gary saw something that continued to stand out. Some children fell in love with sports because they had coaches who believed in them, encouraged them, and made learning exciting. Others walked away from sports because the experience was too competitive, too expensive, or simply wasn’t enjoyable.

Every child deserves better.

Sports & Beyond MD was built on the belief that every child—regardless of experience, ability, or financial circumstances—should have the opportunity to learn from passionate, knowledgeable coaches in an environment where they feel welcomed, supported, and successful.

We believe youth sports should never be about creating pressure. They should be about creating possibilities.

That’s why every practice is designed to help children develop skills while having an incredible time doing it. We want players laughing with teammates, celebrating each other’s successes, learning from mistakes, and leaving every session counting down the days until they get to come back.

Because when kids have fun, they want to keep playing.

And when they keep playing, they improve.

More importantly, they begin developing qualities that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

At Sports & Beyond MD, every drill, game, and activity is built around teaching our Core Values:

• Respect
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Integrity
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Sportsmanship

These aren’t just words we display on a banner—they’re lessons we intentionally teach every week. Whether it’s helping a teammate up after a fall, encouraging someone who’s struggling, celebrating effort over results, or learning how to win and lose with character, we’re preparing children for much more than sports.

As an educator, Gary has spent his career helping children discover what they’re capable of. Sports & Beyond MD simply extends that same philosophy beyond the classroom and onto the field and court.

Every child learns differently. Every child grows at a different pace. Our job isn’t to compare them—it’s to encourage them, challenge them, and celebrate every step of their journey.

Our programs in soccer, basketball, and flag football are intentionally kept affordable because we believe quality coaching shouldn’t be a luxury. Families shouldn’t have to choose between exceptional instruction and a price they can comfortably afford. Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy, confidence, and lifelong benefits that sports can provide.

More than anything, we hope every family feels like they’re joining a community—not just signing up for a program.

A community where children are encouraged.

A community where effort is celebrated.

A community where confidence grows.

A community where friendships are built.

A community where everyone belongs.

This is only the beginning of our journey, and we’re excited to continue serving families throughout Montgomery County and beyond for many years to come.

Thank you for trusting us to be a small part of your child’s story. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Sports & Beyond MD family.

Core Values

During each of the weekly sports clinics we will be introducing one of the core values below and what it means, what it means to them and how we can learn and show these values when learning and practicing sports on and off the field/court.