As a kid, I was always on the tomboy side. I was always playing some sort of sport; softball, soccer, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, surfing. At recess I would be the only girl playing kickball with the boys. I always needed to be active and indulging in sports. I would watch baseball almost everyday during the MLB season, trying to be a sponge and understand the landscape of the MLB .
I struggled as an elementary, middle school, and high school kid to find people within my community with the same passion (specifically females). In the bubble of high school, it is almost as if people are ’embarrassed’ to share their passions to stick to the status quo of high school.
It wasn’t until I got to college where I was able to find fellow sports lovers through my major – sports broadcasting. I was able to meet people who had the same sports teams as me, and also the opposite, which initiated great conversation. However, sports fans are more than just a sports specific major. I wanted to meet sports fans from all walks of life.
I was able to do this through social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat, however, it wasn’t sports specific.
That’s why I created SportsConnect. In a world where social media has become a huge part of our life, it was only a matter of time that there was a platform specifically designed to connect sports fans.
SportsConnect’s journey began with extensive research into the behaviors and preferences of sports fans. I analyzed existing social media platforms and identified a gap in the market – a lack of dedicated spaces where fans could engage with like-minded individuals in meaningful ways. I surveyed various people on their experience with meeting sports fans. With this insight, I set out to create a platform that would not only cater to the needs of sports fans but also foster genuine connections and interactions.
What truly sets SportsConnect apart is its emphasis on real-world connections. While other social media platforms may facilitate online interactions, SportsConnect takes it a step further by encouraging users to meet up and attend sporting events together. There are also opportunities to organize events for users to sign up to, to meet other sports fans and grow their community. This unique feature adds a tangible dimension to the platform, allowing users to turn online connections into real-life friendships and experiences.
I hope that with this app I can create an avenue for sports fans to feel that they have others that they can relate to, build friendships with, and be a part of a community. Sports are for all genders, all walks of life. There is now a place for that at SportsConnect.