Narrative Call to Action
Support Coaches with Tangible Benefits
From advocacy to funding to everyday action, the youth sport ecosystem can do more to support coaches with meaningful benefits. And those benefits should be defined broadly. It’s not just financial compensation, but anything that makes coaching easier, more rewarding, and more sustainable.
→What this looks like when we get it right: Coaches are incentivized with diverse benefits like discounts and special offers. They’re also freed from the burden of out-of-pocket costs with free training, equipment and no-cost play spaces.
→Who can drive this change? Program Operators; Sports Governance; Insurance; Gyms & Sports Facilities; Event Organizers and Hosts; Apparel and Equipment; Government, including IRS, SBA; Technology Solutions, including coaching apps; Service & Standards. Including Coaches Associations
Why This Issue
Coaches are the heart of youth sports. They show up early, stay late, and pour their energy into helping kids grow as athletes and as people. But many face financial barriers that make it hard to keep going – especially in under-resourced communities. They might pay out-of-pocket for gear, training, or travel. That’s not right.
To build a stronger, more inclusive coaching system, we need to support coaches in real, tangible ways. Program operators, apparel and equipment companies, funders, and advocacy groups can look at ways to take the sting out of financial demands.
Getting Started
Engage a wide range of actors. There are ways for stakeholders across the sport ecosystem to support coaches.
- Program operators can budget for coach training and well-being – and work with local businesses and foundations to provide support where it’s needed most.
- Brands and apparel/equipment companies can donate equipment or offer discounts – turning marketing into real community impact.
- Funders and donors can back coaching like they back youth sports – because coaching quality shapes the whole experience for kids and ensures long-term sustainability.
- Advocacy groups and community leaders can tell the real stories of coaches who give everything they have, and of the kids who thrive because of it.
Offer practical perks that make a difference. Training and supplies should be free or very low cost. Stipends, gear discounts, or childcare support can make a huge difference. Even a small gift or thank-you note can go a long way in showing that a coach’s time matters.
Build a system that attracts and retains coaches. When we make coaching easier to get into and more rewarding, more people will raise their hands to help. Coaches will stay longer. Kids will benefit from stronger, more consistent support. Everyone wins.
Game Changing Content
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| USA Gymnastics Recreational Coach Benefits | Registered recreational coaches with USA Gymnastics receive comprehensive insurance and discounts on education, events and materials. |
| Coach Association Member Benefits | Members of the American Baseball Coaches Association gain access to liability insurance, on demand video, complimentary subscriptions, and extensive discounts. |