NRPA and the Million Coaches Challenge
In 2024, NRPA proudly joined the Million Coaches Challenge to support the Susan Crown Exchange’s goal of equipping one million coaches with essential youth development skills by 2025. Through this initiative, NRPA is collaborating with top national training organizations—including the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, How to Coach Kids, Positive Coaching Alliance, and the United States Soccer Foundation—to provide high-quality, no-cost training for park and recreation agencies.
These programs are designed to equip professionals, staff and volunteers with the tools to create supportive environments where all young athletes can succeed.
With foundational support from the Susan Crown Exchange and additional support from ESPN through their youth sports initiative, Take Back Sports, we're expanding the program's reach and impact. We're not just preparing coaches — we’re building a future where kids learn to work together, celebrate their successes, overcome challenges and develop the skills they need to succeed in life.
Why This Training Matters:
- 92 percent of park and recreation agencies offering youth sports have team sport leagues.
- 86 percent of agencies believe parks and recreation should play a role in providing coach training on youth development, safety and health in youth sports at park and recreation facilities.
- 82 percent of park and recreation agencies report that their greatest challenge in youth sports delivery is not having enough volunteer coaches.
Explore more youth sports data, including coaching trends, in the Youth Sports in Parks and Recreation report.
Let's equip coaches to support positive youth development — because a good coach can change everything!
First Tee Western New York, Bowmansville, New York
#INTEGRITYFIRST, INC., Jamestown, New York
Central Ohio Youth Sports Collaborative, Columbus, Ohio
City of Boulder City Parks and Recreation, Boulder City, Nevada
City of Burbank Parks and Recreation Sports Office, Burbank, California
City of Columbus: Parks and Recreation Department, Columbus, Nebraska
City of Escalon, Escalon, California
City of Everett Youth Development an Enrichment, Everett, Massachusetts
City of Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colorado
City of Gardena Recreation and Human Services Department, Gardena, California
City of Gastonia, Gastonia, North Carolina
City of Irving, Irving, Texas
City of Lakewood, Lakewood, Colorado
City of Las Vegas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Las Vegas, Nevada
City of Los Angeles - Department of Recreation and Parks, Los Angeles, California
City of Menifee Community Services Department, Menifee, California
City of Norco Community Services Department, Norco, California
City of Onalaska, Parks and Recreation Department, Onalaska, Wisconsin
City of Ontario, Recreation and Community Services Department, Ontario, California
City of Perris, Parks and Community Services Department, Perris, California
City of Perth Amboy - Office of Recreation, Perth Amboy, New Jersey
City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, Raleigh, North Carolina
City of Rialto Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Rialto, California
City of South Jordan, South Jordan, Utah
City of Troy Recreation, Troy, Michigan
City of Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, Vancouver, Washington
Davenport Parks and Recreation, Davenport, Iowa
Durham Parks and Recreation, Durham, North Carolina
East Windsor Parks and Recreation, East Windsor, Connecticut
Elmhurst Parks District, Elmhurst, Illinois
Essex Junction Recreation and Parks, Essex Junction, Vermont
Flywheel Sports Based Youth Development, New Castle, Pennsylvania
Goffstown Parks and Recreation, Goffstown, New Hampshire
Henrico County Recreation and Parks, Henrico, Virginia
Huntley Park District, Huntley, Illinois
Lexington Recreation and Community Programs, Lexington Massachusetts
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, West Charlotte, North Carolina
Mission Oaks Recreation and Park District, Carmichael, California
Monroe Family YMCA, Monroe, Michigan
New London Recreation, New London, Connecticut
Park District of Oak Park, Oak Park, Illinois
Recreation District #1 of St. Tammany Parish / Pelican Park, Mandeville, Louisiana
Rockdale County Parks and Recreation, Conyers, Georgia
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, San Francisco, California
South Suburban Park and Recreation District, Littleton, Colorado
Special Olympics Florida, Inc., Clermont, Florida
Town of Windsor Parks, Recreation and Culture, Windsor, Colorado
Tri-Township Park District, Troy, Illinois
Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District, Beaverton, Oregon
Upper Chichester Parks and Recreation Department, Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania
Vineyard City, Vineyard, Utah
YMCA of Snohomish County, Everett, Washington
In 2024, NRPA provided support to 39 park and recreation agencies
Credits:
Photos courtesy of Adobe Stock.