Dear Sports Professionals, Parents, and Athletes

Sports have been a central part of my life and upbringing.

Growing up with a single mother and moving to a new country at a young age, I faced my share of challenges and the potential difficulties of integrating into a new society..

Fortunately, I found an environment in Iceland that allowed me to channel my energy positively and intergrade into society through sports. My neighbourhood club provided a sense of belonging, my coaches became father figures, and my teammates grew into lifelong friends.

But beyond the friendships and life skills, the most valuable lesson I took from my formative years on sports fields, from both successes and failures, is a mindset that prepared me for life more than anything else.

With Abler, we want to support sports organisations and their people who play a vital role in shaping our communities for the better.

Markus M. M. Maute, CEO and Co-Founder

The journey from struggling to integrate in a new country to representing Iceland as a professional handball player taught me something profound: sports create opportunities for personal transformation that extend far beyond athletic achievement.

After my playing career, I wanted to give back to the industry that shaped my life, but I wasn't destined to be a coach. Instead, I saw an opportunity to support the incredible people working in youth sports from behind the scenes. I approached my cousin Jóhann Guðmundsson, who had years of experience as both a parent in youth sports and as a Taekwondo coach and division chairman.

Together, we recognised that while sports naturally challenge young people with moments of self-doubt and comparison, these experiences become powerful learning opportunities when guided by caring coaches and supportive environments. We wanted to create tools that would help these dedicated professionals focus on what they do best: developing resilience, emotional intelligence, and character in young athletes.

Every day, coaches, organisers, and volunteers invest their time and energy into creating these transformative experiences for young people. Yet many struggle with administrative burdens that pull them away from direct coaching and mentorship.

Our approach at Abler is rooted in understanding this reality. We've developed what we call the Sports Hierarchy of Needs, which recognises that when organisations can efficiently manage their operational foundation, coaches are freed to focus on the deeper work of character development and skill building that creates lasting impact.

Through our pilot studies with academic institutions, we're seeing evidence of what we've believed all along: when sports environments are structured thoughtfully, they become powerful spaces for developing the emotional skills and mindset that prepare young people for life's challenges.