Across the U.S., more than 38 million kids play organized sports each year. Sports can be one of the most powerful experiences of childhood—building confidence, resilience, belonging, and joy. But too often, coaches enter the role without the tools they need to create safe, inclusive, and supportive environments.
That’s why in 2021, the University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics partnered with the Million Coaches Challenge (MCC) with a bold vision: train one million coaches in youth development practices by the end of 2025.
Today, we are proud to announce: the goal has been reached. One million coaches trained.
Why It Matters
- 1 million coaches are now better equipped to help kids win on and off the field.
- Millions of kids have coaches who listen, encourage, and create belonging.
- MCC-trained coaches report more confidence (93%), believe training benefits all coaches (94%), and see athletes experiencing more joy, stronger friendships, and greater retention in sport.
This milestone proves what’s possible when the field unites behind a bold vision. But it’s not the finish line, it’s the starting line.
What’s Next
Alongside this achievement, MCC is releasing two new resources to guide the next chapter of change:
- A Practice Guide for Youth Coaches: 12 Coaching Strategies to Support Positive Youth Development: practical, evidence-based strategies that coaches at every level can put into practice right away.
- Calls to Action: A Vision for Youth Sports Coaching in the U.S.: a shared vision for systemic change, organized across four areas:
- Insights – evidence-based frameworks, rigorous research, accessible resources
- Narrative – elevating coach and athlete stories, recruiting diverse coaches, shifting recognition
- Organizational Practice – requiring high-quality training, setting clear standards, removing barriers
- Policy – advancing oversight, requiring ongoing training, securing sustainable funding
When we invest in coaches, we invest in kids, in communities, and in the future of sport. Together, we can make high-quality coaching the standard—not the exception.