Summary Bottom line,…read moremost kids seem to have a great experience. They get to play lots of soccer in a distant land in big tournaments with lots of pageantry. Most make new friends with their teammates. However, the trip is far from the organized machine that you would expect from a company that charges a premium and has been doing this for 30+ years. There is absolutely no transparency to customers about anything NSA does, from team formation to coach assignment to hotel arrangements. Parents who choose to join the trip are charged like customers but then treated like part-time employees. Misc thoughts Complete lack of transparency. Fred's motto when recruiting customers is that everything will work out and they just need to trust him. He deflects most questions about details, such as what team a kid will be on, where parents will be staying, etc. Some of it is out of necessity, because I think he was recruiting players until very late. I would appreciate some transparency around that. The older girls team was formed around the wishes of a couple of returning families who were on the trip as staff, resulting in a team that was almost entirely 2010 or younger playing as 2009. But because of two 2008 girls they were entered as a 2009 team. For the bulk of the customers this was not ideal, but we had no awareness of any of this beforehand (see lack of transparency). Fred extols his connections with local Swedish soccer clubs as a bonus for NSA. Which it is. But it's also true that they serve as cheap extra players for filling out rosters while not fully joining the team. The Swedish players who joined the older girls team did not participate in the team training camp. The younger girls team had a Swedish player who had only been playing soccer for a year, but whose family was housing Fred's. The training camp before the tournaments was great. A nice way to quickly become a team and get some intensive practice in. The older girls loved their coach during training. They did not like it when Fred took over their training personally, which only happened a couple of times. When actually coaching Fred is a bit of an authoritarian. Old school coach, I guess. Brought 13 players to a week-long tournament of 11-v-11. With one player needing to leave a few days before the end of the tournament. That was never going to work. After injuries happened they ended up needing guests from the younger team and then last-minute replacements from local clubs. We assumed NSA would have the routine down after 30+ years. Yet after three long days of training, the group had a long travel day from Denmark to Sweden the day before the first tournament started. The older girls had their first game early the next morning. But Fred scheduled a scrimmage for the team with a local club that evening. It was scheduled so late that kids missed dinner and got to bed late. Against a dominant team that they couldn't do much against, and that was too physical for them. 3 injuries during scrimmage, each of which knocked the player out for multiple games. For a team that was heading into the tournament with a roster of 13. The girls were so discouraged. Older boys team was somehow scheduled for 11v11 in the Dana Cup when they only had 9 players. NSA had no idea what happened. They scrambled and played a few girls with the boys. Adults are charged like customers, then treated like part-time employees. Fred is very clear that everyone needs to be flexible, because plans change. All throughout the trip parent "supporters" are left to fend for themselves and find out about team plans, or plan changes, at the last minute. I actually think this is okay. Except for the big problem that Fred also charges these parents big premiums for their hotel stays and anything else he arranges (such as the tournament card). Cost-wise, Fred treats the parents like customers. Experience-wise he just tolerates them. I'm totally fine with the experience if and only if Fred arranges for their stay as more of a courtesy with minimal surcharge. Then, during the second tournament in Denmark, I became a de facto staff member simply because I had a rental car. NSA relied on the rental cars of parents for transportation. They just assume that parents with cars will be happy to help. I was initially, but then it became clear that wherever and whenever the team wanted to go somewhere I was expected to drive my carload. This included times when I drove them to go watch other teams play - teams I had no interest in myself. Instead of an afternoon of vacation I was a chauffeur - and I was paying my own money to do it (car rental and gas)!

Coach Bass is patient, professional, experienced, and genuine when it comes to bringing out the…read morebest in the kids that he trains/mentors. Not just in basketball, but the kids' overall health and wellness. I look forward to having my kids participate in the upcoming programs that Coach Bass has available. Currently my kids are doing great and picking up skills really fast in the summer basketball league. I'm excited to see how much 1st step will foster their talent and bring out the best in them!

The program itself was okay but we wouldn't return. They stack their teams so you basically have 2…read moreexperienced teams and 2 beginner teams. This would be okay if they then set up their games where those teams only played each other. Instead you play against every team and have teams of experienced players playing against teams of kids that have never played. The scores ended up most days atleast 30 points to 0. It really discouraged my kids away from basketball all together. Also, the taller female coach came in smelling like weed most days and we don't really want our kids around that. I think we would have tried the program again if they mixed up the teams better or separated the skill levels. We stopped going to the games and just went to practice by still felt like a waste of money.

Nothing but good things to say about Coach Dre. He is passionate about teaching the game of…read morebasketball. Very knowledgeable & easy to talk to. My son gravitates to him as a mentor: as well as to Coach Rico and Coach Mike. They know how to break down the fundamentals to help players elevate in their game. My son has been going to NoTime2Chill Skills Academy for 2 years & plays for their Jr Stallion's Team. I see the time & effort the coaches put into my son, therefore my son reciprocates and is able to deliver in a game. So far, I've seen nothing but progress/growth in my son & I can only hope he continues to get better. Team bonding is also a big one for Coach Dre, last season we went to a local food bank as a team & gave back to our community. It was great a great experience. To the coaching staff, Thank you for your time & patience. Not only is this a wonderful place to train, the gym is fully equipped with a banquet room in the back portion of the facility so you're able to rent out the whole gym & throw a party! There's a full fridge, sink, 4 big tables & about 20 chairs. There's also an area where I was able to put a balloon arch for photos & a couch and more tables, so it can accommodate a big party. There's a speaker system that you can connect to & play your play list while the kids play basketball. I appreciate the nice clean restroom for my guests. I recently just rented the facility & threw my son his 12th birthday: 3 point shooting contest, 3 on 3, Knock Out, food, cake, and lots of laughs!! He had the best time ballin' with his friends. I highly recommend everything about this place. Thanks for everything Coach Dre!

I've known Coach Andre Chilton for more than two decades and during this time he has successfully…read morecoached youth AAU teams under my non profit AAU club Legends Hoops/Lady Legends ( 8 teams total) and before that Napa Valley Basketball Alliance and led skills training clinics for my teams of all ages with his positive and motivating style to bring his love of the game to all. Coach Dre had a successful and respected career in the USAF , was a USAF All Star team player who has International Basketball experience and has invested himself in top tier training programs to be a top ranked skills trainer who has trained D1 College and NBA players as well as ran his own winning ABA men's team (Solano Stallions) as well as many D1 youth AAU teams to championships. His facility has state of the art shooting equipment that tracks your shot and calls out the arc, as well as sensor balls for ball handling workout improvements and a court floor they is gentle on the knees and joints. The Big Chill has always been professional, personable and someone you can trust with your child's safety, development and he is a great teacher, being a steadfast student of life himself. As a honest person and businessman, leader in his community, he has provided NoTimeToChill Basketball Academy as an excellent source of basketball knowledge, opportunity and growth !

So far so good! First off, let me tell you that providing your child with quality instruction…read more(I.e., spiritually, academics, athletics, etc.) is a priceless and necessary exposure for little athlete to reach their potential. This place does all that and more. The attention given to our child is top notch. Highly recommend this place to those are serious about sharpening their craft, playing baseball or softball.

My 9 year old daughter has participated in 2 clinics and 3 batting lessons with Rachel as well as…read moreplayed on the 8u development team from August - December 2013. First I will give credit to Rachel's skill and knowledge of softball as she has extensive experience as a player and coach. Now I will tell you she was a BULLY to my daughter. She made comments under her breath when no one could hear her, she was often rude and passive agressive. I talked to her about what my daughter told me, which she didn't deny. I asked her to apologize to my daughter and she refused. I believe in giving a person a chance to do the right thing and I have been waiting. I have waited a bit to cool down before posting a review. I know the importance of a review is to share your experience so others can make an informed decision. I say buyer beware.... My daughter wanted to quit softabll after fall ball.... A coach is suposed to teach and mentor not put kids down and use their power to make them afraid. Luckily my daughter has played for others who have done a good job so she knows the difference.

Best program in the area ,where coaches develop the kids to be the best athletes possible!!read more

ZERO STARS!!!!! This review is for the San Leandro CA at the…read moreAll Saints Episcopal Church with the coach Precious. TERRIBLE. From day one. Unorganized, unprofessional. I understand the structure and discipline cheer has. But I will never let a person talk to my kids or other parents kids in that way. They are children! They will not stay still. I did not put my kids for competition which I found out later that the program cared for competing. I put them to expose them to something different something fun. Not to be yelled at and making them feel they can't do something right. Today not only was the coach 30 min late, she drove very fast into the drive way where all the kids and parents were waiting she also made hand movements from inside her car to move some parents including my husband out of her way. She then is upset at who know what. Kicks out the parents from the class to have a "private" class to. Only yell at the kids. Her loud voice was heard outside by parents which all had something to say among them. Same day, I had to withdraw my kids. I will never let any one talk to my kids that way. Get your anger and frustration out on yourself but not my kids or other kids. It's a shame and embarrassment to this organization. I will NOT be referring this program to any parents and I will let the principal at their school know the behavior this lady projects to the kids and family. This organization does not need the support from my children's school or community.

The Cheer coach was amazing and it was a very organized class! Very affordable compared to all…read morestar cheerleading which is 10 times the price

We had a fun time on a trip with Captain Canevaro, who made sure that everything was taken care of…read more Barry told us stories, kept us appraised of the situation, and made sure that everything was working out well. We were disappointed that we didn't catch anything, but that wasn't Barry's fault... though we were surprised that there were no bait changes when we were at the same spot, and were a little concerned with the amount of WD 40 on the reels. That said though, even without the bait changes, it was a fun, relaxing trip, at a reasonable cost. Barry took care of us, and made sure everything, including payment, was simple as can be.

Capt. Barry Canevaro took us out on a wonderful fishing journey. I was a little hesitant because…read morehaven't been fishing since I was a little kid. Barry made it totally easy. All you have to do is come with some great friends and pack a lunch and Barry takes care of the rest. He provides the boat, the fishing poles, etc. He teaches you what to do and makes it very easy. When you pull in the fish he takes care of it. At the end of the trip Barry cleans the fish for you to take home. I wish I could give Barry 10 stars because that is how much fun we had. The only thing you have to remember is that if you get sea sick bring the dramamine.

Good if you want to experience the beer festival but not so much if you're here to experience a…read morerace. The race itself was poorly organized and executed. There are a few different distances to choose from: half marathon, 10k, and 5k, and a 1-mile which is differentiated by the bib color. The start times for each are not staggered enough so there is a lot of overlapping between the different distances which all go on the same course at some point. It was really confusing as there were no arrows and no mile markers. Some runners ran the wrong way and ended up doing more miles because the course was not clearly marked. There was a 1 miler that goes around the finish line and the course was to go the opposite way of the finish line; it was really confusing and I almost ran the wrong way to follow them as I finished. There were volunteers out there that would help guide the runners to the correct direction based on the bib. Some volunteers were great in guiding, others not so helpful so it was really confusing on which way to go. I did the half marathon. It's stroller friendly so I ran it with a double stroller. There is a part that is a bit bumpy by the trail next to the DGS building but it was short. I did enjoy the route that this half marathon offered. It was different than the usual course around Sacramento. The course goes towards Drake, Old Sacramento, and Discovery Park. Some areas are a bit iffy so on a regular day, I don't usually run in those areas so it was nice being able to experience it. There is a bit of looping to make up miles. The courses are not closed so they'll be other runners, bikers, and walkers on the course. It would have been nice to have signs out for a special event since there were some aggressive bikers at Discovery Park. There are also no road closures since the race isn't big enough. The race amenities were advertised as way more glamourous than they really are. The customizable bibs just have a blank spot for you to write on. The 7 oz tasting glass was plastic. There's free race photos but I only saw the photographer once at the start line. This is the first race I've done (and I've done many) that did not provide any food or even a water bottle post-race. There was no water at all at the finish and only sparking water if you went in the beer garden. Speaking of water, the aid stations ran out of cups so runners had to waterfall for a gulp of water. This was a first for me. I like their mission of supporting the local beer community and drinking locally but being built around a race, it was not carried out very well. I don't think I'll do this race again unless the weather is good and I'm wanting to do a half marathon with the stroller.