About Us
Built for Players. Designed for Safety.
Who We Are
Lightning for Players & Parents is a youth sports recruiting platform built by First Step Athletics. We created this platform because we believe every young athlete -- regardless of budget or background -- should have access to the tools they need to get noticed by college coaches and scouts.
The recruiting industry has long been dominated by platforms that charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year, putting them out of reach for many families. We set out to change that.
Our Founder
Christian Bentley has spent over 30 years in education -- 13 years as a private school teacher, the last 11 at the same school -- where he teaches both physical education and technology. It was the intersection of those two passions that planted the seed for what would eventually become Lightning for Players & Parents.
In 2017, Christian founded First Step Athletics (FSA) as a sports filming and highlight creation service, helping prospective college softball athletes put their best footage in front of coaches. Over time, he saw firsthand how the recruiting process was stacked against families who could not afford the $300-3,000+ annual fees charged by the major platforms. The talent was there. The access was not.
That realization drove the evolution of First Step Athletics from a filming service into a full recruiting platform -- one that gives every player, regardless of budget, the tools to get noticed. Christian still teaches full-time. Lightning for Players & Parents is a passion project built in the margins -- before school, after school, on weekends -- because he believes every athlete deserves a shot.
Our Mission
Connect youth athletes with college coaches and scouts through a platform that puts player safety first.
Every feature we build is designed with one guiding principle: minors deserve special protection. From age-tiered account controls to parent verification systems, from content filtering to coach identity checks -- safety is not a feature we bolt on. It is the foundation everything else is built upon.
We believe that when families trust the platform, athletes can focus on what matters: showcasing their talent and chasing their dreams.
Who Is This For?
Lightning for Players & Parents serves the entire youth sports community -- not just elite, college-bound athletes. Whether you are a high schooler preparing recruiting materials or a 9-year-old who just wants to share highlight clips, this platform has a place for you.
High School & Travel Players
Athletes actively pursuing college opportunities. Build recruiting profiles with stats, video, and coach testimonials. Get discovered by college coaches searching for players in your position and grad year.
Youth & Rec League Players
Younger athletes (8-13) building their skills. Keep a digital record of your journey -- highlight clips, stats progression, team photos. When you are ready to recruit, everything is already in one place.
Travel & Club Coaches
Track your roster, write testimonials for your players, post tryout events, and connect with families looking for teams. Help your players get exposure without the $3,000/year platform fees.
Rec League & Youth Coaches
Give your players a place to shine -- even if college is years away. Write testimonials that players can keep forever. Help parents track their athlete's development from season to season.
Parents & Guardians
Create and manage your child's profile with full parental controls. Approve messages, review activity, and stay involved in the recruiting process. Our age-tiered safety system gives you peace of mind whether your child is 9 or 17.
What We're Building
From youth players tracking their development to high schoolers connecting with college coaches -- Lightning for Players & Parents is built to help athletes at every stage.
Start a profile as early as you like and build it season by season. Highlight clips, stats, and coach testimonials all live in one place -- so when it is time to recruit, everything is already there.
Write verified testimonials that stay with your players for good. Your endorsements appear on their profiles with verification, so parents and recruiters know they are real.
What Makes Us Different
Safety First
Age-tiered accounts with different protections for different age groups. Parent verification for all minor accounts. Content filtering on messages. Coach and scout identity verification before they can contact players.
Affordable
$25-60 per year. That is it. Other recruiting platforms charge $300 to $3,000+ annually. We believe recruiting tools should be accessible to every family, not just the ones who can afford premium prices.
All-in-One
Player profiles, athletic statistics, highlight videos, in-platform messaging, recruiting tools, and analytics -- all in one place. No need to juggle multiple services or pay for add-ons.
Transparent
A clear privacy policy written in plain language. Visible verification badges so you know who you are talking to. We are open about how we collect, use, and protect your data -- especially your child's data.
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you. Whether you have questions about the platform, feedback on a feature, or a concern about safety -- we are here.
General Inquiries
Email: [email protected]
Questions about accounts, features, billing, or partnerships.
Safety Concerns
Email: [email protected]
Report suspicious behavior, safety issues, or concerns about a minor's account. Safety reports are reviewed promptly.