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 trainings are either too costly, too time consuming or too hard to implement. USA Weightlifting (USAW), in conjunction with the Susan Crown Exchange, are working to remove barriers and to effectively train youth coaches with the skills they need to help youth athletes excel.

The Susan Crown Exchange, creator of the Million Coaches Challenge, is committed to funding initiatives that will help train one million coaches by 2025 who are well-versed in youth development and skill-building techniques that help kids succeed on and off the field. 

USA Weightlifting invites applications to be part of a multi-sport group of coaches who will receive training, certification, and support as part of their six month commitment to learning. The fellowship focuses on coaches with less than 5 years of experience who are from underrepresented groups in coaching and who are actively working with or plan to begin working with youth in underserved communities. 

USA Weightlifting, USA Triathlon, and USA Fencing are the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) for their respective sports. These three progressive NGBs are partners in the Million Coaches Challenge and have created a Youth Coach Fellowship designed to enable youth coaches to:

• Confidently coach young people to develop skills and attributes essential inside and outside of sport
• Learn from other coaches working with youth
• Feel supported in their coaching journey

Less than one third of the country’s six million coaches have been trained in youth development practices. USAW is committed to improving coach training for those working with youth, particularly those in underserved communities. We encourage current youth coaches working with underserved communities to apply to join the first cohort of multi-sport coaches in the Fellowship. 

Fellowship Quick Facts
The Fellowship runs 14 weeks and the next cohort will begin in September 2024. The program supports novice youth coaches who are actively coaching youth in underserved communities. Coaches will be given free tuition for the USAW Level 1 Coach Certification course and one year free USAW membership. Additionally, upon successful completion of all components of the Fellowship, participants will receive $100 USD. Total value is over $700. Coaches actively engage in a virtual coaching group, attend a series of live webinars, and complete USAW Coaching Fundamentals courses. To be eligible for the fellowship, coaches must be actively coaching at least 8 hours per week. For coaches not yet actively coaches, please take advantage of the free USAW Coaching Fundamentals courses in the USAW Learning Academy open to all members.

Please note that applications for the 2024 cohort are open and the application deadline is August 9th.

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