Since its launch with 31 coaches, the business has spread throughout Central Texas and beyond to communities in Westlake, Dripping Springs, Frisco and others for a network of almost 250 coaches.
The business was created to give parents a network of coaches to choose from and provide student athletes more flexibility in their employment while still building their professional skills, Wright said. After raising a couple of athletes of her own, Wright said she saw firsthand how difficult it was for student athletes to find employment that worked with their schedules.
“[My daughter] needed to get a job but didn’t have time,” Wright said. “She had so much to offer, so why not utilize something where they could utilize what they know best and choose their own time?”
High school athletes are recommended by coaches and teachers to become Player2Player coaches, and potential coaches are then vetted by the organization. Once they become a coach, the high school coaches must submit detailed minute-by-minute lesson plans, arrive on time to appointments, bring necessary equipment and interact with adults in a professional setting.
“I wanted the athletes to have that work experience, working for a real company, not just mowing yards or babysitting,” Wright said. “I really wanted them to be able to pass down what they know and love to the younger kids.”
The organization offers three primary services, including one-on-one coaching, which can assist students at all levels of their sports journey. Player2Player also hosts clinics and events, such as tournaments, in which Player2Player coaches act as referees and coaches for the teams. There also are half-day, full-day and multiday summer camps for several sports.
“The offense that the football coaches are teaching the little kids is the Lake Travis offense,” Wright said. “They know what it’s like because they were there not too long ago. They’re not so far jaded in the world; they’re still kids themselves, but they know exactly what these guys are going through because they likely had the same coach.”
