MVC Announcement: DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation & GameChanger

Why It Matters

By investing in coach training focused on emotional and developmental needs, the campaign seeks to reduce early dropout from youth sports, improving long-term participation and the social and mental-health benefits that stem from sustained play. This could shift where youth-sports funding and programming prioritize resources, with implications for community organizations and youth development outcomes.

Summary

DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation and GameChanger announced a partnership with the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport to launch a healing-centered coaching campaign called MVC (Most Valuable Coach). The initiative delivers research-backed, practical resources to community coaches emphasizing emotional health, relationship-building, routine, and stress regulation alongside athletic development. Organizers highlighted data showing trained coaches boost retention—95% of kids return the following year versus 74% with untrained coaches—and debuted short-form social content and coaching tips to drive adoption. The effort aims to keep more children playing longer by equipping the adults who shape their sports experiences.

Original Description

With the description:

Rick Jordan, Vice President, DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation

Rebecca Wasserman, Vice President of Strategy, Operations, and Impact, GameChanger