Monday, September 28 | 11 a.m. – Noon
1. Partnering With Youth to Shape the Future of Sports
Breakout Session, Pennsylvania Convention Center
The most impactful youth sports programs aren't just designed for young people — they're designed with them. This session highlights how engaging youth voices can lead to more relevant, welcoming and meaningful sports experiences. Grounded in NRPA's Youth Sports Framework, you’ll hear real-world examples from park and recreation agencies that are actively partnering with youth. From collecting input to creating leadership opportunities and co-designing programs, attendees will gain insight into how to engage youth not just as participants but as trusted advisors. Through discussion and peer learning, participants will leave with practical tools, fresh ideas and clear next steps to unlock the power of youth voice.
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Speakers:
- Kent Hunt, National Recreation and Park Association
- Kevin Payton, Chula Vista Parks and Recreation
- Malo Lutu, Imperial Beach Parks and Recreation
- Shannon Bullock, Chula Vista Parks and Recreation
Learning Objectives:
- Explore key strategies from NRPA’s Youth Sports Framework to understand how youth engagement can strengthen sports experiences.
- Examine real-world examples to identify effective approaches for elevating youth voice through feedback, leadership and co-design opportunities.
- Develop a realistic first step for elevating youth voice in your community by identifying key partners, opportunities and potential challenges.
2. She Belongs Here: Real-World Strategies That Get Girls Playing
Breakout Session, Pennsylvania Convention Center
She belongs here, but right now, too many girls never get the chance to prove it. Girls are dropping out of sports at higher rates than boys, with some never getting the chance to play at all. In Twentynine Palms, the park and recreation department built a network of community partners to change that story. The partnership with Girls on the Run brings the Get Her in the Game Playbook to life across three core strategies: building cross-sector partnerships that last, activating your community around girls' sports and finding the funding mix that makes programs sustainable. Attendees will leave with real, replicable ideas to take back to their community because when she belongs in sport, everyone wins.
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Speakers:
- Molly Widdicombe, Girls on the Run Riverside County
- Amy Tessier, Twentynine Palms Parks and Recreation
Learning Objectives:
- Explore strategies from the Get Her in the Game Playbook that create welcoming, girls-centered sport environments.
- Understand how to build and sustain cross-sector partnerships that expand girls' access to sports.
- Examine outreach and recruitment approaches that ensure all girls have a pathway into sports that supports long-term sustainability.
3. The Power of Recreational Leagues: Making the Case and Overcoming the Stigma of Recreation Sports
Breakout Session, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Recreational leagues matter. They provide fun and developmental benefits to all participants, especially youth. They offer broad access to the court, field or rink that might otherwise be out of reach. They inspire lifelong participation in sports. Yet many leagues face limited resources and persistent misconceptions compared with club and travel programs. This interactive session will highlight strategies from NRPA's Youth Sports Framework and Get Her in the Game Playbook, explore research on effective youth sports movements and share approaches for measuring impact, building support and strengthening support in your community.
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Speakers:
- Austin Barrett, National Recreation and Park Association
- Kyle Simpson, National Recreation and Park Association
- Dr. Gareth Jones, Temple University
Learning Objectives:
- Understand research-derived characteristics of effective youth sports movements and how they contribute to greater access to youth sports for all.
- Reflect on their current approach to impact measurement and how to collect new and compelling data on the true impact of recreational leagues for youth.
- Devise a plan that involves storytelling and grassroots engagement to build community support.
4. The Power of the Parent: Creating Supportive and Positive Youth Sports Environments
Breakout Session, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Youth sports programs thrive when parents and caregivers are engaged as positive partners, but challenging behaviors on the sidelines can disrupt games, undermine coaches and negatively affect young athletes' experiences. In this session, participants will explore practical strategies for proactively engaging parents, setting clear expectations and confidently addressing disruptive behaviors. Grounded in research and best practices, including insights from the Positive Coaching Alliance and ESPN's Take Back Sports initiative, this session will equip attendees with tools to transform parent involvement from a potential obstacle into a powerful asset.
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Speaker:
- Kelly Kratz, Positive Coaching Alliance
Learning Objectives:
- Identify common parent behaviors that disrupt youth sports environments.
- Apply proactive communication strategies to set expectations with families.
- Implement practical techniques for addressing challenging parent behaviors in real time.
