ATLANTA, GA (MMD Newswire)  February 6, 2009 -- Growing Leaders, a non-profit organization focused on developing emerging leaders, and Competitive Edge Sports (CES), a worldwide leader in elite level sports performance training, have formed a strategic partnership. This partnership provides sports organizations and athletes across the country with a character-based leadership program in tandem with world-class sports training.

The agreement between the two Atlanta-based organizations will enable any amateur sports organization to license Growing Leaders' Habitudes(TM) (www.habitudes.org) program for leadership and character development, along with Competitive Edge Sports' "CES Campus" speed and strength program. The CES proprietary strength and speed-training program was previously only available to professional athletes.

"Character and leadership are an integral part of success in sports," said Chip Smith, CES founder. "We make athletes physically faster and stronger, but without the appropriate personal character and leadership skills, no athlete will reach their full potential on or off the field. So many gifted athletes have seen their careers ended through a lack of strength in character. Finally, there is a program aimed specifically at young athletes that can help them develop these critical life skills. I would recommend the Habitudes(TM) program to any coach at any level who truly cares about their kids. We're looking forward to a strong and productive partnership with Growing Leaders."

This joint venture to enhance sports performance training is a natural fit for both organizations. Since 2007, Growing Leaders has worked directly with collegiate football and professional baseball teams to implement the Habitudes(TM) program, and CES Clients such as Champ Bailey, Malcolm Kelley, Manuel Johnson, Juaquin Iglesias and Graham Harrell have all contributed to the Habitudes(TM) curriculum. This focus by Growing Leaders assists sports teams in sharpening leadership and character traits.

CES has a client roster of more than 1,000 professional athletes in almost a dozen sports worldwide. More NFL athletes have worked with the CES System than any other sports performance training system in the world.

"CES is without question the premier authority for serious athletes who want to improve performance. The team at CES knows what kinds of skills are necessary for athletes to compete at the absolute highest level," said Dr. Tim Elmore, founder and president of Growing Leaders. "We are honored that CES has joined Growing Leaders in addressing the critical need for leadership and character development in young athletes."

About Growing Leaders
Founded in 2003 by Dr. Tim Elmore, Growing Leaders is a non-profit organization created to develop emerging leaders. The organization provides public schools, state universities, civic organizations and corporations with the tools they need to help develop young leaders who can impact and transform society. To learn more about Growing Leaders, visit www.growingleaders.com.

About Competitive Edge Sports
CES Directors, Chip Smith and Robby Stewart have been training world-class athletes for more than two decades. The proprietary speed and strength system developed by Chip Smith is implemented exclusively at CES, and is recognized around the world as one of the best sports performance systems for serious athletes in existence. Thousands of elite athletes in nearly a dozen sports fills the impressive CES Client List, which includes Olympic Gold Medalists, Heisman Trophy Winners, National and World-Champions, All-Pros and All-Starts. Over one in five NFL Players have been through the doors at CES, so it is no wonder that Competitive Edge Sports is recognized as the premier destination for elite level sports performance training.

Contact:

Holly Moore
Growing Leaders
678-384-4485
hmoore@growingleaders.com

Brandon Johnson
CES Holdings
214-215-2356
bjohnson@cesperformance.com

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