10
ESPN developed four 
strategic pillars, 
where we can create 
the greatest impact.
FOUR
FOUR
FOUR
PILLARS
PILLARS
PILLARS
We want to ensure kids of all skill levels and backgrounds 
have a place to play.
Community rec leagues are often a kid’s first experience in 
youth sports. Whether it be through Parks & Rec, Boys & 
Girls Clubs, or another community-based league, the goal 
is to ensure kids have fun, while learning the fundamentals.
The problem is that rec leagues are often underfunded 
and many are disappearing. Travel teams tend to be very 
expensive and are creating an accessibility issue for  
families, which leave few options for the majority of kids 
that just want to play.
We don’t want cost or lack of experience to be a barrier 
to kids playing sports, which is why ESPN is investing in 
organizations that are enhancing recreational leagues.
3 OUT OF 10 
YOUTH SPORTS PARENTS 
SAID THEIR CHILD’S COMMUNITY SPORTS PROGRAM 
EITHER CLOSED, MERGED 
WITH ANOTHER ORGANIZATION OR EXISTS WITH 
LESS CAPACITY COMPARED 
TO LAST YEAR
*Aspen Institute State of Play 2022 report
HALF OF ALL VIGOROUS 
EXERCISE ENGAGED IN BY 
AMERICANS OCCURS IN 
PARKS. PEOPLE WHO LIVE 
CLOSER TO PARKS REPORT 
BETTER MENTAL HEALTH. 
BUT IN SOME CITIES, 
AS MANY AS 
TWO-THIRDS OF 
CHILDREN 
ARE WITHOUT ACCESS 
TO A NEARBY PARK.
* The Trust for Public Land
50%
COMMUNITY REC 
LEAGUES 
1
We’re striving to get coaches trained in critical competencies that help kids thrive.
A good coach can make or break a child’s interest in sports. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough 
youth sports coaches, especially female coaches. Many youth sports coaches are volunteers, often 
parents or family members, that may not have received a lot of training. 
ESPN is investing in getting more coaches — and referees — into the system and training them in 
critical skills to help kids thrive.
QUALITY COACHING
2
LESS THAN 1/3
WERE TRAINED WITHIN THE PREVIOUS YEAR IN CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT, 
GENERAL SAFETY PHYSICAL CONDITIONING, SPORTS SKILLS AND TACTICS AND 
EFFECTIVE MOTIVATIONAL TECHNIQUES. 
*Aspen Institute State of Play 2023 report
OF YOUTH COACHES 
IN 2022
28% of youth sports head coaches in 2023 were female
of youth coaches in softball and volleyball are men 
of the coaches in basketball and soccer surveyed were men
40%
80%
*SFIA
11
TakeBackSports.org

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