YOUNG ADULTS & CIVILIANS AGES 16-24
THE NEXT PLAY INITIATIVE: YOUR NEXT MOVE.
YOUR FUTURE.
Build your skills, discover your career path, and prepare for whats next. The Next Play Initiative connects young adults and Civilians 16—24 with hands-on STEM learning, career training, and opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials. Explore how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics support emerging industries and real-world careers.
BUILD STEM & CAREER SKILLS. GAIN EXPERIENCE. EXPAND YOUR FUTURE.
Sports open the door. STEM expands possibilities. Through the Next Play Initiative, participants discover how the technology behind sports connects to careers in artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, cybersecurity, electric vehicles, energy, and skilled trades. Hands-on learning develops problem-solving, teamwork, and technical skills participants can apply within sports and across other industries.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
Discover how AI, data analytics, and digital tools improve player development, analyze performance, identify strengths, study opponents, prevent injuries, and support coaching decisions in basketball and other sports.
ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION
Experience how robotics and automated systems are used in sports through rebounding machines, automated cameras, training equipment, field maintenance, performance testing, facility operations, and injury rehabilitation.
DRONES & AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
Discover how drones can capture practices and games, provide overhead footage, analyze player movement, inspect fields and facilities, create sports media, support outdoor events, and improve safety in basketball, football, soccer, and other sports.
ESPORTS, GAMING & DIGITAL MEDIA
Explore competitive gaming, esports operations, streaming, game design, broadcasting, digital content creation, and event production—while developing teamwork, communication, strategy, and technology skills connected to the sports industry.
ADVANCED MILITARY OPPORTUNITIES
Explore how the discipline, teamwork, leadership, fitness, aviation, cybersecurity, engineering, drone operations, logistics, and advanced technology used by the military connect directly to the qualities developed through competitive sports.
CYBERSECURITY & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
Learn how cybersecurity protects athlete information, team communications, online registrations, ticketing systems, digital broadcasts, social-media accounts, performance data, and the technology used by modern sports organizations.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES, ENERGY & SMART INFRASTRUCTURE
Learn how electric vehicles, charging stations, solar energy, battery storage, and smart-building technology can support team transportation, athletic facilities, tournaments, stadiums, and large sporting events.
SKILLED TRADES & FACILITIES TECHNOLOGY
Learn how electrical, HVAC, plumbing, construction, lighting, flooring, scoreboards, and smart-building systems help build, operate, and maintain gyms, courts, stadiums, training centers, and other athletic facilities.
​ENTREPRENEURSHIP & LEADERSHIP
Develop the skills to build a personal brand, understand financial literacy, manage sponsorships and NIL opportunities, organize camps and tournaments, market sports programs, lead teams, and create businesses within the sports industry.
TEE UP FOR YOUTH. PLAY FOR POSSIBILITY.
2027 GOLF TOURNAMENT
Join us to raise awareness and support for The Next Play Initiative and the Georgia Stars Basketball Program, home of Georgia Stars 2031 Gold 8th Grade Jr EYBL Open. Your participation helps introduce kids to emerging technology and provides resources that help our student-athletes thrive.
READY TO START YOUR NEXT CHAPTER?
Your future is full of possibilities. Take the first step toward a rewarding career with VTEC.