The disparities in access to youth sports represent a significant challenge in our society. Children from marginalized communities face substantial barriers to participating in organized sports compared to their more affluent peers. Through our Sports Equity Programs, PCA is committed to ending this national problem by unlocking access to youth sports for children who would otherwise miss out due to financial limitations, gender, or other marginalized statuses. As part of our mission to promote positive and equitable sports opportunities for all, PCA expanded its programming to three additional cities: Buffalo, NY, Boston, MA, and Austin, TX. Each city presents unique challenges and opportunities as we work with local stakeholders, organizations, and volunteers to dismantle barriers to youth sports participation. Through our interventions PCA is making youth sports accessible by tailoring its efforts to each city’s needs.

TACKLING BARRIERS IN BOSTON: A FOCUS ON COLLABORATION AND CULTURAL PROFICIENCY
In Boston, PCA launched its Community Roundtable Program, designed to bring together diverse groups of local stakeholders to develop strategies for increasing youth sports participation and enablePCA to better understand the specific access challenges facing each community, and ensure our interventions have the greatest impact. Key partners such as Boston Scores, The Base, and Sportsmen Tennis Center played pivotal roles in these discussions, which have become a platform for youth sports organizations (YSOs) to tackle shared challenges.

• Through these roundtable discussions, PCA helped organizations identify systemic barriers and strengthen their programs by sharing best practices.

• A significant barrier identified in these discussions was a shortage of volunteer coaches, which limits the capacity of local YSOs to serve the community effectively. To address this, PCA expanded its Coach Recruitment Program and successfully recruited and referred 50 volunteers to local YSO. PCA also collaborated with the Mayor’s Office to support volunteer coach recruitment, with the city featuring PCA’s volunteer coach application on its website.

• By placing coaches in accessible areas, PCA not only increases the number of available volunteers but also ensures that these coaches reflect the communities they serve.
   

AUSTIN: ADDRESSING STRUCTURAL BARRIERS TO SPORTS ACCESS

In Austin, TX, PCA worked closely with the City of Austin to address structural barriers that limit access to sports facilities, limiting participation among youth from underserved communities. Austin’s existing system for managing access to public sports fields disproportionately impacted YSOs in underserved communities.

• To address these challenges in Austin, PCA facilitated a series of community roundtables, bringing together city officials and local youth sports leaders to explore ways to improve field accessibility and ensure equitable access to sports facilities.

• These discussions were instrumental in gathering community input and identifying specific barriers that prevent youth from participating in sports.

• As a result, PCA has collaborated with the city to develop recommendations for improving facility access and has advocated for policy changes to make sports fields more accessible to all YSOs, regardless of their financial resources.

We are excited to report the impact of this initiative later this year, as we continue working to ensure that Austin’s sports infrastructure supports equitable access for all youth.
 

BUFFALO: CO-CREATING A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SPORTS EQUITY AGENDA

In Buffalo, NY, PCA adopted a comprehensive, community-driven approach to develop a Sports Equity Agenda in partnership with local leaders, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and Project Play WNY.

• PCA worked with local stakeholders, facilitating a monthly youth sports task force to helpBuffalo’s local leaders develop strategies to tackle the root causes of sports inequity. This collaborative and inclusive process ensures that all voices are heard, and the solutions are co-created by the community.

• Through this work, PCA expects to see meaningful increases in youth sports participation in Buffalo.

• We look forward to sharing the impact of this initiative with our network later this year, as we continue to work toward long-term, community-defined solutions.
   

PCA’s work in Boston, Austin, and Buffalo reflects our broader commitment to closing the Sports Equity Gap and creating a youth sports ecosystem where all children have the opportunity to succeed. By focusing on community engagement, coach recruitment, cultural proficiency, and systemic change, PCA is driving meaningful progress in each city, tailoring our approach to meet the unique needs of local communities. These efforts not only increase access to sports for marginalized youth but also create a foundation for long-term, sustainable change that will benefit future generations. Through collaboration with local stakeholders and a shared commitment to equity, PCA is helping to build a more inclusive and accessible youth sports landscape in Boston, Austin, Buffalo, and beyond.