Earlier this year the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group (through private investment firm Elysian Park Ventures), Nomar Garciaparra and former MLB prospect Aaron Trolia announced the launch of E|L1, which aimed to solve the challenges youth athletes and their families face.
Powered by E|L1, the group is opening the first Dodgers Training Academy in Redondo Beach on Saturday. E|L1 relies on an approach that includes credible instruction by former professional athletes, ongoing immersive training for coaches and managers and educational seminars for parents and guardians—all at an affordable cost.
For leagues and teams, E|L1 will help alleviate some of the administrative and financial challenges by providing access to state-of-the-art technology and assistance with registration, team communication, marketing, advertising and fundraising.
“E|L1 is a player-first organization that values personal development just as much as training and winning, and believes that youth of all ages and skill levels should have greater access to the game,” Garciaparra said.
“As a former youth athlete and parent, I know the industry is broken. We are launching E|L1 to help kids learn for those who’ve lived it at the highest levels, and set a new standard for excellence in instruction.”
Garciaparra founded the Garciaparra Baseball Group (GBG) Training Academy along with his brother, Michael, and partners, Paul Rappoli and Trolia, to develop youth and high school players. The group has aided SportsNet LA in clinics they’ve hosted for local kids.
The plan for E|L1 is to power additional Dodgers Training Academies that will serve the greater Los Angeles area, supporting players and teams of all skill levels, as well as accommodate players and families who may not be able to afford the high price of other elite sports academies.
E|L1 will also back Trolia’s existing facilities and programs in Washington State—Northwest Prospects Academy (NPA), 5 Tool Academy, RISE Football, and Softball University, which will also be backed by Dodgers ownership resources.
The Dodgers Training Academy in Redondo Beach offers multiple programs, with more to come in 2019. Additional information can be found on their official website.