GameChanger Launches New Impact Initiatives to Expand Youth Sports Access Nationwide

NEW YORK, NY  – GameChanger, the #1 rated youth sports app for scorekeeping, live streaming, statistics, and team management, a DICK’S Sporting Goods company, today announced two new initiatives designed to expand access to youth sports families and strengthen coach communities nationwide. Developed in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and Every Kid Sports, the programs will invest in coach development and provide direct support to help more youth athletes participate in sports. 

‍

“Coaches and families are the heartbeat of youth sports,” said Rebecca Wasserman, GameChanger vice president of strategy, operations, and impact. “These programs are designed to support both, helping to grow and develop the pipeline of coaches and expand opportunities for more kids to get in the game. At GameChanger, we believe youth sports change lives on and off the field. We’re proud to partner with organizations like NRPA and Every Kid Sports that share our commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the benefits of sports participation.”

‍

Building Coach Communities with NRPA

Research has shown that coaches are the single most important factor in shaping a young athlete’s experience in sports. Yet park and recreation agencies across the country report increasing challenges recruiting, training and retaining volunteer coaches to meet growing demand. To help address this need, GameChanger is partnering with NRPA, a national nonprofit dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation, to ensure coaches nationwide have the tools, training and support they need to lead and inspire the next generation of athletes.

‍

Key elements of the partnership include: 

• GameChanger will invest $175,000 in grants and technical assistance to support the recruitment, training and retention of youth sports coaches. 
• The funding will be distributed to five to-be-determined park and recreation agencies to support coaching development programs designed to strengthen local youth sports ecosystems. 
• The initiative is expected to train approximately 500 coaches, impacting an estimated 5,000 young athletes. 
• GameChanger and NRPA will help participating agencies form a national learning community to share best practices and explore sustainable coaching models that can be replicated in communities across the country. 

‍

LEARN MORE HERE

‍

“We know the lasting impact a great coach can have on a child’s life,” said Kristine Stratton, NRPA president and CEO. “Programs led by well-trained staff and volunteers create meaningful experiences that extend far beyond the playing field. Through this partnership, we are proud to create new pathways that invite more coaches into the youth sports system and continue equipping park and recreation leaders with the training and resources they need to make a positive difference in the communities they serve.”

‍

Keeping Kids Playing with Every Kid Sports

Youth sports change lives on and off the field, shaping confidence, friendships and lifelong habits of activity and exercise, but not every family has the resources to ensure their child can participate. To address this opportunity, GameChanger is partnering with Every Kid Sports, a national nonprofit that empowers children in income-restricted families to play sports, to help more children have the opportunity to play and stick with the sports they love.  

‍

Key elements of the partnership include: 

• GameChanger is providing Every Kid Sports with a $75,000 grant to help income-restricted families cover youth sports registration.
• In addition, GameChanger will provide 1,000 complimentary annual GameChanger Premium subscriptions to support families participating in youth recreation programs. 

‍

LEARN MORE HERE

‍

“When a child gets the chance to play sports, the whole family becomes part of that journey,” said Eleana Faniaka, executive director of Every Kid Sports. “GameChanger’s support helps ensure more kids can step onto the field and more families can share in those moments. Together, we’re helping make youth sports more accessible and more connected for families across the country.”

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation is a founding partner of Every Kid Sports and has helped cover youth sports registration fees for tens of thousands of kids nationwide since launch.

About GameChanger:

GameChanger empowers athletes, coaches, and families to stay connected through live streaming, scheduling, statistics, and scorekeeping. Available on iOS, Android, and the web, GameChanger covers nearly 10M games annually and 1M+ teams a year. The live streaming and scheduling technology is available for all youth sports, with deep stats and scorekeeping capability for baseball, softball and basketball. GameChanger is based in New York City and is owned and operated by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

About the National Recreation and Park Association:  

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 68,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and supporters — the catalysts for positive change in service of parks for all, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.

‍

About Every Kid Sports:

Every Kid Sports, a national 501(c)(3) organization, is supporting LIFE through access to youth sports. By breaking down financial barriers, Every Kid Sports helps kids build confidence, cultivate teamwork skills, and enjoy the numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits of sports participation. Every Kid Sports boasts the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency. To learn more, visit everykidsports.org.