Johnny Duffy founded ReadySetPlaySports with a simple belief: every child should have the opportunity to play sports, regardless of their family's financial circumstances. As a lifelong athlete, he experienced firsthand the confidence, friendships, and personal growth that sports can provide, and he wanted to help make those opportunities available to more young people in his community.

While still in high school, Johnny launched ReadySetPlaySports to collect, refurbish, and redistribute sports equipment to local families at no cost. What began as a small community initiative quickly grew into a larger effort focused on removing barriers to participation in youth athletics. He continues to lead the program's development, working with schools, community partners, volunteers, and donors to expand its reach and create a lasting impact.

Outside of ReadySetPlaySports, Johnny has consistently pursued leadership, service, and entrepreneurship. He founded the Student Pressbox Association, a student organization dedicated to raising over 800 thousand dollars for a media pressbox at his high school's stadium and delivered a TEDx talk to over 2,000 students on the importance of personal habits and growth outside the classroom. He has also volunteered for multiple summers with Safety Town, helping teach children essential safety skills and emergency preparedness.

A defining aspect of Johnny's approach is his belief that success should create value beyond the individual. That mindset has shaped the growth of ReadySetPlaySports, transforming it from a simple equipment drive into a long-term effort to strengthen access to youth sports and support the communities it serves.

His work has earned recognition from local and state organizations, including a state legislative letter of recognition for ReadySetPlaySports, a Santa Barbara Education Foundation grant that helped launch the project, leadership scholarships, and membership in multiple academic honor societies. He also attended the most globally prestigious summer business program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School's Leadership in the Business World program during the summer of 2026, where he studied entrepreneurship, business strategy and analytics, and leadership applications.

Looking ahead, Johnny hopes to continue expanding ReadySetPlaySports while pursuing opportunities in business and entrepreneurship. No matter where those paths lead, his goal remains the same: to build organizations and initiatives that make a lasting, positive difference in people's lives.