About us

My Story

Growing up in Little Burgundy, Montreal, life wasn’t easy. My community was filled with challenges—poverty, crime, and the kind of hardships that force kids to grow up fast. My father battled schizophrenia and was in and out of my life from an early age. By the time I turned 13, my mother reached her breaking point. The stress and trauma of trying to raise me, along with my three siblings—two sisters and a brother—while managing his unpredictable behavior became too much, and she made the difficult decision to make him leave for good. My mother did everything she could to keep us afloat, but the weight she carried was immense.

For me, basketball was more than just a game—it was my escape. I didn’t start playing organized basketball until I was 13 years old. Before that, I learned the game playing streetball at local courts, the YMCA, and community centers. It was raw, creative, and full of passion. Those pickup games shaped me into one of the top players in Montreal and eventually led me to play at Vanier College. But bad decisions and not taking my academics seriously cost me opportunities to accept Division 1 and Division 2 scholarships in the United States. Those mistakes drive me to this day, inspiring me to help kids avoid the same pitfalls and seize the opportunities I missed.

When I became a father, I wanted to give my kids everything I never had. But in my effort to set them up for success, I went too far. I thought success meant discipline, countless hours of practice, and pushing them to their limits before they even hit their teenage years. I believed starting them young and training relentlessly was the key to making them "elite." What I didn’t realize was that I was robbing them of the joy that made basketball special in the first place.

My oldest son has a deep love for basketball, but the pressure I placed on him nearly broke him. The grind, the expectations, and the constant focus on improvement left him mentally drained and struggling to find joy in the game. It took time, therapy, and a complete shift in perspective to help him recover—not just his love for basketball, but his sense of self. My younger son, however, wasn’t as fortunate. After watching his brother struggle, he walked away from competitive basketball altogether—not because he didn’t love the game, but because I had taken the fun out of it.

Even my daughter faced challenges. She has a natural love for basketball, but one season with a traditional coach who used fear and intimidation was enough to make her question whether she still wanted to play. I saw firsthand how quickly the joy could be stripped away when the focus was solely on results.

As I looked around at the world of youth sports, I realized it wasn’t just me. I’ve been coaching since 2007, and I’ve seen how traditional coaching methods do more damage than good. Fear-based coaching, treating kids like mini-professionals, and prioritizing winning over well-being are rampant. The worst part? No one says anything. And when someone does, they’re dismissed, criticized, or called soft.

There’s this belief that sports aren’t supposed to be fun—that fun is frivolous and doesn’t matter. I’ve heard adults say, “I don’t care if you’re having fun; I care if you get better,” as if fun and improvement can’t go hand in hand. That mindset is toxic. Play isn’t just important—it’s essential. It’s how kids learn, grow, and build confidence.

The idea for the Kids Need Play Organization was inspired by my own experiences and by mentors from my community, like Trevor Williams. Trevor, who played for Team Canada against Michael Jordan and the Dream Team, was the first person I saw give back to the community in a meaningful way. He started a foundation and a summer basketball camp that focused on positivity, leadership, and making a difference. Watching him inspired me to create something of my own—a program that would rewrite the narrative for youth sports.

This organization isn’t just about basketball. It’s about giving kids a safe space to play, explore, and grow without fear or pressure. It’s about teaching them life skills, resilience, and confidence—not by forcing them, but by letting them learn naturally through play.

At the Kids Need Play Organization, we prioritize joy, mental health, and holistic development over trophies and accolades. Basketball is just the tool we use to teach kids about life—helping them embrace challenges, love movement, and find their unique path. Beyond the game, we also focus on helping kids learn about mental health awareness and how to be successful in the classroom, because success on the court means little if it doesn’t translate to success in life.

I made mistakes as a father and coach, but this is my way of making things right. I never want another child to lose their love for the game or their passion for life because of unnecessary pressure. This organization is a promise—to my family, to my community, and to every child—that we can do better.

Because at the end of the day, kids need play. And play changes everything.

Adrian Sapp
Founder and President
Kids Need Play Organization
"Play Builds People"