In July 2026, the NCCOR Sport & Youth Well-Being workgroup convened more than 35 invited experts for a two-day workshop titled Defining Quality Youth Sports Environments: A Conceptual Framework and Examples from the Field. The workshop introduced a draft conceptual framework for quality youth sports, highlighted programs that exemplify its key dimensions, gathered feedback to refine the framework, and identified opportunities for future research and practice to advance high-quality, accessible youth sports environments.
Day 1: July 15, 2026
Session 1: Foundational Conditions | Structural Quality, Access, Transparency, and Engagement in Youth Sport Programs
- Moderator: Hui-Ju “Zoe” Young, PhD, CMA, National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD), University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Fa’amalo “Malo” Lutu, Imperial Beach Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
- Stephanie McKeon, Special Olympics North America
- Allie Riley, PhD, MSW, Girls on the Run
Session 2: Program Environments | Psychological Environment, Health, & Safety in Youth Sport Programs
- Moderator: Lynette Craft, PhD, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
- Jackie Kippen, YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit
- Jaci McCormack, Rise Above
- Tierra Stewart, DC SCORES
Day 2: July 16, 2026
Session 3: Youth Voice | Youth Voice and Autonomy in Youth Sport Programs
- Moderator: Jayne Greenberg, MS, EdD, International Sport and Culture Association
- Ellise (11th grade, Idaho), GENYOUthYouth Council
- Raquel (11th grade, Texas), GENYOUth Youth Council
- Rohit (12th grade, New Jersey), GENYOUth Youth Council
Session 4: Developmental Experience | Appropriateness for Developmental Stage and Positive Youth Development in Youth Sport Programs
- Moderator: Daycia McClam, Positive Coaching Alliance
- Dawn Anderson-Butcher, PhD, LISW-S, CMPC, Ohio State University LiFEsports
- Stephanie Herrick, MS, Rising New York Road Runners
Putting It All Together
Dan Hatfield, PhD, NCCOR Coordinating Center