Game-Changing Grants to Increase Access to Youth Sports

GameChanger and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) are offering grants to park and recreation agencies working to recruit, train, and retain youth sports coaches.

Funding will be distributed to five park and recreation agencies across the country to support coaching development programs designed to strengthen local youth sports ecosystems.

Grant funds can be used by agencies to implement initiatives such as:

• Recruiting and engaging volunteer coaches
• Training coaches to support positive youth development
• Providing ongoing resources and support throughout the season

By investing in coaching development, GameChanger and NRPA are committed to ensuring more youth athletes benefit from supportive leaders both on and off the field.

Coaches play a critical role in shaping the youth sports experience. Research consistently shows that a positive coach can influence whether a young athlete develops confidence, builds skills, and continues playing sports.

At the same time, park and recreation agencies across the country report growing challenges recruiting, training, and retaining volunteer coaches. To support youth sports participation, communities need stronger systems to support the coaches who make play possible and meaningful.

Park and recreation agencies are one of the largest providers of out-of-school programs and serve more than 50 million youth annually. They are uniquely positioned to expand access to youth sports in communities nationwide.

GameChanger and the NRPA share a belief in the power of coaches and sports to positively shape young people’s lives. Together, we are working to strengthen coaching support in youth sport communities across the country.

Participating agencies will also have access to a national learning community supported by GameChanger and NRPA.

This network allows park and recreation leaders to share best practices, exchange lessons learned, and explore sustainable approaches to recruiting and supporting volunteer coaches. By fostering collaboration across communities, the initiative helps identify coaching models that can be adapted and replicated nationwide.

For more information on this grant opportunity, tune into NRPA’s informational webinar on March 18 at 1 p.m. EDT. Registration details can be found here.

To learn more about how your local park and recreational agency can apply, visit the NRPA website.