USAW and USCCE Youth Sport Coach Leaders Program
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
sport coaches and youth sport coach developers 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. Additionally, work to
support coach developers and coaching systems is key to changing the
landscape of youth sport. USAW, in partnership with the United States
Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE), is launching a new initiative to
support youth sport coach leaders. Youth sport coach leaders often work in
a volunteer or part-time capacity and manage large numbers of volunteer
youth sport coaches. Professionalizing youth coaching and better equipping
youth sport coach managers and developers will elevate the quality of
coaching youth athletes receive and improve retention and self-efficacy in
youth sport coaches.

Through our new joint initiative, the Youth Sport Coach Leaders
Program, participants will work with USCCE Facilitators and their sport
organizational peers to explore ways to develop their own leadership skill
and engage with individuals who are learning about youth sport coaching. 
As part of their program homework, participants will run two 3-week youth
sport coach engagement learning groups with individuals within their own
organization using the USAW Youth Sport Coach Fellowship Modules.
USA Weightlifting invites applicants to be part of a multi-sport group of
coaches who will receive training and support as part of their commitment
to learning. Applications can be completed here.

Summer 2025 Youth Sport Coach Leaders Cohort Timeline

May 22-June 17 Application period
Applicants will be notified by June 18th of acceptance into the program
June 23-July 6 Cohort on-boarding
July 7-20 Cohort preparation
July 21-August 10 Youth Sport Coach Leadership Assignment #1
August 11-24 Youth Sport Coach Leadership Assignment #2
August 25-September 6 Cohort wrap up