The Challenge

While most coaches recognize the key role they play in promoting youth development, they often don’t feel supported in doing so. Coaches report that existing trainings are either too costly, too time consuming, too hard to implement, or fail to incorporate youth development practices. The majority of coach training that exists is designed to win games—not necessarily to help kids thrive.

Less than one third of the country’s six million coaches have been trained in youth development practices. This is a missed opportunity. So we called on the boldest, most innovative actors to close this gap.

In fall 2025, the Million Coaches Challenge reached one million coaches trained in youth development. Along the way, we learned what works, what barriers remain, and what it takes to scale quality training across diverse contexts. These insights now guide our next phase of work.

We envision a future in which all young athletes, regardless of their family’s income, their gender, their race, or their ability status, have access to coaches who are well-versed in youth development and skill-building techniques that help kids succeed on and off the field.

The Susan Crown Exchange remains committed to funding initiatives that help achieve this goal. Together, we can build a future where our kids know how to work together, celebrate success, manage failure, and are equipped with the skills they need to thrive.