YOUTH

DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAM

 
 

When it comes to our youth program [ 16 and under ] we take it very serious indeed. We stride to accept a limited amount of youth athletes each year by design. Making it clear that our mission continues to enfranchise the importance of proper development in sport and self improvement. Attention to detail is critical at this age along with time and commitment we all take so that we can insure the quality and success of each youth athlete. Sport is merely the vessel we use to build foundational habits so each and every athlete has the opportunity to develop skills that become interwoven in both life and sport. As much as 1 on 1 Performance training or group training can help develop skills we also provide of the field habits that help in each athletes day to day life.

  • Open communication is key in every relationship our athletes have so each month we schedule a disengaged time to check in on grades, habits, goals, and any training & development challenges they may have for the coaches.

  • We also provide the the athletes with journals which we encourage them to write down any goals, successes, defeats, that help give them the transparency they need with themselves so they may be even more valuable in there training sessions each week and month.

  • All youth athletes are also encouraged to follow a weekly training program which helps them prepare for the next phases of strength and conditioning. Seeing that 14/15 is the ages athletes start wanting to use wights having the proper understanding of Form, balance, core strength, breathing, all comes in handy for the next stages.

 

The 305ERS Experience

The 305ERS experience was created to give youth athletes and families a clear, honest understanding of what it means to be part of a structured, values-driven team within HTFT Mental Health & Performance.

While flag football serves as the competitive platform, the 305ERS are not a traditional flag football program. This is an integrated developmental team intentionally designed to support athletes mentally, emotionally, and physically within one unified environment.

What began as an idea rooted in confidence, connection, and opportunity has evolved into a four month developmental season that blends athletic training, leadership development, mentorship, and mental performance support. The goal is not simply competition, but the development of disciplined, coachable, and emotionally intelligent young athletes prepared to carry these lessons beyond sport.

The team is built on accountability, teamwork, and emotional awareness. Sport serves as the vessel, but the mission extends into school, relationships, and everyday life. The 305ERS experience is designed to help youth athletes build habits, identity, and leadership skills that last well beyond the season.

Program Structure

The 305ERS season is structured as a four-month developmental experience followed by one end-of-season tournament.

Preseason (Months 1–2)
Athletes participate in six practices per month.

• Four team-focused practices led by Head Coach Joey Topel and Assistant Coach Ben Yogev
• Focus areas include team structure, play installation, football IQ, communication, leadership development, and culture

• Two performance-based practices led by Performance Specialist Brett Carroll and, at times, Martyra
• These sessions focus on speed, movement quality, balance, coordination, and position-specific athletic development

Regular Season (Months 3–4)
The program continues with six practices per month while shifting toward execution and tournament readiness.

• Performance-only practices transition into additional team practices
• Practices are led by Coach Joey and Coach Ben with involvement from the broader leadership staff
• Emphasis is placed on cohesion, situational awareness, and preparation for the end-of-season experience

In total, the program includes four months of structured practices followed by one tournament that serves as the sole end-of-season competitive experience.

Practice Environment

Practices are intentionally structured to balance athletic development with personal growth.

Athletes are challenged to develop:

• Football IQ and situational awareness
• Leadership and communication skills
• Position-specific fundamentals through competitive scenarios

Mental performance and reflection are integrated through journaling and guided reflection sessions. Team scrimmages with local programs are incorporated to reinforce learning, accountability, and composure.

Each practice is designed to teach responsibility, respect, teamwork, and emotional control alongside athletic performance.

Coaching & Leadership

The 305ERS are led by a multidisciplinary team whose backgrounds extend beyond traditional coaching.

Joey Topel – Head Coach
Joey brings extensive experience as a school counselor and youth behavioral specialist. His work in emotional regulation, behavior management, and youth development allows him to push athletes athletically while developing them beyond plays and games. He sets the cultural standard through discipline, consistency, and accountability.

Ben Yogev – Assistant Coach
Ben supports athlete development both on and off the field. With a background in counseling and ongoing professional training, his role reinforces habit formation, communication, and consistency throughout the team environment.

Brett Carroll – Performance Specialist
Brett is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA with extensive experience working with professional MLB and NFL athletes. He leads athletic development with a focus on speed, movement quality, balance, coordination, and injury prevention.

Martyra Turnquest – Performance Support
Martyra supports athletic performance alongside Brett, reinforcing proper movement patterns and mental focus during training and competition periods.

Kemal Ishmael – Assistant Coach & Leadership Consultant
A former Atlanta Falcons defensive back with a background in behavioral science, Kemal brings elite professional sports experience into the program. He helps athletes develop confidence, accountability, self-awareness, and the ability to manage pressure on and off the field.

Trevor Barlow – Mental Performance & Program Integration
Founder of HTFT Mental Health & Performance and a registered MFT intern, Trevor leads the team’s mental performance and reflective programming. Through a relationship-driven, solution-focused approach, he supports athletes and families in developing self-awareness, communication skills, and emotional regulation.

Tournament & End-of-Season Experience

The season concludes with one end-of-season tournament experience designed to challenge athletes both athletically and mentally while bringing families together.

Depending on the selected seasonal cycle:

• Fall Cycle: Practices run from September through mid-December, followed by a January tournament in Dallas, Texas at AT&T Stadium
• Winter Cycle: Practices run from mid-January through March, followed by an April NFL Flag tournament hosted at an NFL stadium

Tournament selection is made collaboratively once official schedules are released and based on what best fits the team and families.

Enrollment & Communication

Parents receive a detailed breakdown of practice schedules, uniform information, and cost structure prior to the season.

Once tournament registration is completed, families receive a full season itinerary including confirmed practice dates, locations, and a complete cost breakdown. At that point, the athlete is considered part of the 305ERS program and receives all team communications.

Final roster decisions are made by Head Coach Joey Topel based on team needs, balance, and overall fit. Families are notified once official roster placement is confirmed.

The 305ERS Standard

The 305ERS are not a flag football program. They are a professionally constructed, integrated developmental team.

The program is designed to complement an athlete’s primary sport, not replace it. It exists to provide a structured environment where athletes and families grow alongside experienced professionals who value development as much as performance.

Four months of practice.
One tournament experience.
One integrated developmental journey.

Junior Coaches & Integrated Mentorship

Beyond practices, the 305ERS include an Integrated Mentorship Track designed to strengthen leadership, mindset, and decision-making.

The mentorship team includes Junior Coaches Alex Reizen and Jonathan Oksemberg. Alex Reizen, a former 305ERS athlete, now assists with on-field instruction, practice organization, and peer mentorship, exemplifying the program’s commitment to growth, continuity, and giving back.

Together, the junior coaches learn from experienced professionals while guiding and supporting younger athletes.

Community & Character

Each season begins or concludes, depending on the cycle, with a team bonding experience at the annual 305ERS vs. Broward Charity Softball Game, hosted by One Hometeam Foundation and HTFT Mental Health & Performance.

This event highlights the intersection of sport, leadership, and mental health, encouraging athletes to recognize both their platform and their responsibility within the community.

 

For information on pricing,

call (954) 806-5399