NCYS

What NCYS does

The National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, established in 1979/1980 to serve as the leading industry body representing youth sports in the United States. NCYS aggregates national community-based youth sports organizations, National Governing Bodies, local unaffiliated leagues, Destination Marketing Organizations, coaches, officials, parents, and corporate brands, with a claimed reach of approximately 60 million registered youth participants across all 50 states and U.S. territories. The organization is officially designated as a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) Champion and engages in federal-level advocacy through the Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports and PHIT Act coalition work.

NCYS's service portfolio is built around three pillars: safety, education, and advocacy. Safety offerings include background screening through the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI, co-founded with NCYS), Emergency Action Plan templates, STOP Sports Injuries educational materials, and a GoRescue partnership providing discounted AEDs and CPR training. Education includes the Certified Sports Administrator (CSA) program developed with George Washington University, Coach-Mentor Training, the CrashCourse concussion education program, and co-branded instructional video content via the SportsEdTV partnership. Advocacy is anchored by the annual National Youth Sports Week and lobbying days in Washington, D.C. Recognition is delivered through the STRIVE Award, co-presented with AIG.

The business model is a hybrid non-profit structure combining recurring membership dues from organizations, tax-deductible donations (including micro-donations via the Coin Up app), corporate partnerships with multi-tier sponsorship, and modest product sales including books such as "Winning More Than the Game" and curated marketplace fees through the NCYS Shopping Mall. NCYS does not develop proprietary technology; the platform backbone for member program management is provided by SportsEngine (NBC Sports Next). The organization operates with a small core team of 1–10 employees, relying heavily on a federated partner ecosystem and volunteer-driven board governance, with new officers elected in January 2025 including Chair Ann Kitt-Carpenetti.

Name

NCYS

Legal name

National Council of Youth Sports

Website

https://www.ncys.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NCYS is a non-profit firm that offers sports programs for youths through advocacy and education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHSADAEAO

Coach Education, Certification & Clinics

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Sports Coaching & Athletic Performance

Keywords

• Youth sports advocacy
• Coach education
• Sports safety training
• Background screening
• Youth sports membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Suwanee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NCYS operates as a membership organization with national youth sports organizations, local leagues, DMOs, corporate brands, coaches, officials and parents as members. Annual membership fees provide access to resources, training, and advocacy benefits.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals and organizations support critical programs and resources. The organization accepts credit card donations, spare change round-up programs through Coin Up app, and various other giving options.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate brands partner with NCYS to reach 60 million youth athletes, families and organizations. Partners align with NCYS mission in areas including youth sports participation, athlete safety, coaching education, and organizational capacity building.
4. Product Sales: NCYS sells books (such as 'Winning More Than the Game' at $12.99 with free shipping) and maintains an e-commerce shopping mall featuring partner brands offering sports-related products and services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NCYS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that delivers safety, education, and advocacy resources to youth sports organizations, coaches, and parents. Its core offerings include annual organizational membership, the Certified Sports Administrator (CSA) and Coach-Mentor Training (CMT) certification programs, background screening via the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI), free safety resources such as CrashCourse concussion training and Emergency Action Plan templates, the STRIVE Award recognition program, the NCYS Shopping Mall featuring partner brands, and National Youth Sports Week as an annual advocacy platform.

Product overview

The National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) is a membership organization offering a portfolio of educational, safety, and advocacy services for youth sports organizations. The core offerings include membership programs connecting organizations to national resources, coach education through Coach-Mentor Training and Certified Sports Administrator certification (in partnership with George Washington University), and safety services via the National Center for Safety Initiatives for background screening. The NCYS Shopping Mall serves as a curated marketplace featuring partner brands, while National Youth Sports Week provides annual advocacy activations. The organization also offers recognition programs like the STRIVE Award, free safety resources including Emergency Action Plan templates and STOP Sports Injuries materials, and various training partnerships including GoRescue for AED/CPR training and SportsEdTV for coaching content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STRIVE Award: Sports Teach Respect, Initiative, Values and Excellence award presented by NCYS and AIG recognizing organizations implementing promising practices and policies to protect young athletes.

Products and services

• NCYS Membership Annual membership program connecting national and local youth sports organizations with NCYS resources, networking, advocacy benefits, and access to the NCYS Shopping Mall.
• Coach-Mentor Training (CMT) One-hour online or 1.5-hour virtual training program equipping youth sports coaches to be mentors, with focus on character development, resilience, and leadership beyond technical sports instruction.
• Certified Sports Administrator (CSA) Online certification program developed in partnership with George Washington University, covering risk management, financial accounting, event safety, contract law, program development, leadership, and organizational structure for youth sports administrators.
• National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) Background Screening Background screening and risk management service created in partnership with NCYS, providing comprehensive criminal background checks for youth sports staff and volunteers; USA Lacrosse has completed over 73,000 background screenings through NCSI since 2018.
• NCYS Shopping Mall Online marketplace featuring partner brands offering products and services for youth sports organizations, including entertainment venues, performance associations, safety services, and technology platforms.
• National Youth Sports Week (NYSW) Annual national advocacy movement (e.g., October 6-11, 2025) increasing access, safety, and equity in youth sports, with themed daily activations including Coaches Day, Safety Day, and Play Day.
• STRIVE Award

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% of sports injuries are preventable with proper safety measures
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Soccer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2023Strategic partnership to scale the Foundation's Coach-Mentor Training program to ensure more coaches are trained in social and emotional abuse prevention and positive youth development best practices.
• GoRescuecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Partnership to provide lifesaving resources to youth sports organizations. GoRescue provides free and discounted ZOLL AEDs, first aid and CPR training courses, and AED365 Program Management. Helps NCYS fulfill mission to enhance safety for youth sport athletes.
• TEAMS Conference / Northstar Meetings GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2023Multi-year partnership extension allowing NCYS to co-locate board meetings and member receptions at TEAMS Conference & Expo. National Youth Sports Week coincides with TEAMS conference. NCYS leadership included in youth sports education through TEAMS '25.
• SportsEdTVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2023NCYS and SportsEdTV collaborate to provide free world-class coaching tool to NCYS community. SportsEdTV provides co-branded instructional videos and monthly content for NCYS members. Partnership serves 60 million youth registered in organized sports programs.
• National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSI was created in partnership with NCYS as one of the nation's leaders in background screening services. NCSI provides comprehensive background checks for youth sports organizations.
• American International Group (AIG)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAIG sponsors the STRIVE (Sports Teach Respect, Initiative, Values and Excellence) Award for Organization of the Year. Recognizes organizations implementing promising practices to protect young athletes.
• SportsEngine (NBC Sports Next)coreTechnology or IntegrationSportsEngine is NCYS's recommended software provider for sports life management solutions. Technology partner for National Youth Sports Week events and Find a Program feature.
• Pacira BioSciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership focused on driving awareness for non-opioid pain management options for youth athletes. NCYS publishes content about opioid exposure prevention.
• TrueSportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for National Youth Sports Week Athlete Health & Wellness Day; provides tools, resources, and content supporting healthy athletes in body and mind.
• Positive Coaching AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for National Youth Sports Week Coaches Day; provides tips and training for effective coaching.
• LakePoint SportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue partner for National Youth Sports Week Play Day events at 1,300-acre campus in Emerson, GA.
• PHIT AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPHIT (Personal Health Investment Today) is a coalition promoting physical activity. NCYS supports PHIT Act advocacy for tax breaks on sports and fitness expenses.
• Coin UpminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMobile giving app partner allowing donors to virtually 'round up' spare change from everyday bank card transactions to support NCYS.
• Adventure Sports and EntertainmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier indoor/outdoor sports and entertainment destination in Jackson, NJ featured in NCYS Shopping Mall.
• Applied Sport Psychology Association (AASP)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe largest sport and exercise psychology professional association in North America featured in NCYS Shopping Mall.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Positive Coaching Alliance: National non-profit focused on developing positive coaches through training and resources, with similar coach-education and youth sports development mission to NCYS. Both organizations provide coach training programs and partner on National Youth Sports Week.
• National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS): National non-profit membership organization serving youth sports administrators, coaches, and parents with training and safety resources. Directly comparable in mission, membership model, and target audience to NCYS.
• Amateur Athletic Union (AAU): One of the largest non-profit multi-sport organizations for amateur athletes, particularly youth. AAU is both an NCYS member and a comparable peer as a national youth sports membership organization offering competition and training.
• USA Lacrosse: National governing body for lacrosse with a youth participation focus and member of NCYS. Comparable as a sport-specific NGB providing safety, training, and background screening to youth athletes.
• Babe Ruth League: Youth baseball/softball organization serving over one million players and an NCYS member (2019 STRIVE Award winner). Directly comparable as a youth sports membership organization focused on safety and program quality.
• Pop Warner Little Scholars: National youth football organization with hundreds of thousands of participants. Comparable peer as a large-scale youth sports membership organization prioritizing safety, coaching standards, and athlete welfare.
• Little League International: World's largest organized youth sports program, serving millions of baseball and softball participants annually. Directly comparable to NCYS in scale, mission, and focus on youth sports safety and participation.

Broad incumbents

• National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS): Umbrella organization for high school athletics that also addresses youth sports safety, coaching education, and policy. Broader scope than NCYS but overlapping in coach certification and athlete safety resources.
• YMCA of the USA: Large non-profit operating youth sports programs across thousands of U.S. communities. Overlaps with NCYS in serving youth athletes and parents through community-based sports programming and safety initiatives.

Emerging players

• Aspen Institute Project Play: National initiative focused on increasing youth sports participation and promoting healthy physical activity. Comparable to NCYS in mission around access, equity, and quality of youth sports — particularly aligned with the NYSS 63% participation target.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/youthsportsNCYS
• Facebookfacebook.com/ncys.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-council-of-youth-sports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NCYS