Beyond the Game: City Youth Sports Build Confidence and Leadership
Grant from the National Recreation and Parks Association helps teen employees become coaches and mentors for younger children in City programs
A great coach does more than teach a child how to play. They help a young person believe in themselves, encourage them to try something new and show them what is possible when someone takes the time to support them. The City of Albuquerque’s Department of Youth & Family Services (YFS) is expanding youth sports while training teen employees to become coaches and mentors for younger children through support from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and ESPN’s Take Back Sports, powered by Disney. The $2,500 grant is helping to strengthen YFS youth sports through additional training for 60+ full and part-time employees along with equipment for a variety of sports.
“Every kid should have a place to play, a coach who believes in them, and a chance to discover what they’re good at,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Our community centers already belong to Albuquerque families, and we’re putting them to work creating more opportunities for kids and teens to grow together.”
The approach creates a cycle of mentorship inside City community centers where teens gain experience leading teams, teaching skills, and encouraging younger players, while children get a coach who can help them try something new, build confidence, and discover what they are capable of achieving.
“A coach can be the person who helps a child believe they belong, especially when they’re trying something new or learning a skill for the first time. By training our teen employees to coach and mentor younger participants, we’re giving both age groups an opportunity to grow. That’s the kind of impact that lasts long after the game is over,” said YFS Director, Jess Martinez.
That investment is taking shape across YFS afterschool and summer programs. The department has continued its summer youth basketball league while expanding sports opportunities that include flag football in the fall, volleyball, soccer and more. These programs give children opportunities to explore different sports, build friendships and discover their strengths in a welcoming environment.
YFS is also committed to engaging girls across its sports programs, helping create opportunities for them to participate, develop their skills and see themselves as athletes and leaders. Every child deserves the chance to play, learn and feel that they belong, regardless of their gender, experience or skill level.
Just as importantly, the investment is creating opportunities for teen employees themselves. It is a cycle of mentorship that reaches beyond the playing field. A teen who once needed encouragement can become the person offering it to someone else. A child who is trying a sport for the first time can find the confidence to keep going. And a community center can become a place where young people discover not only what they can do, but who they can become.
For YFS, afterschool and summer programs are about more than filling the hours outside of school. They are opportunities to build connections, develop life skills and help young people feel supported by their community. Sports offer a natural way to practice teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship and leadership, with lessons that extend into school, future careers and everyday life.
Through its continued investment in youth sports and teen leadership, YFS is helping make those opportunities accessible to more Albuquerque families. The goal is not simply to create better athletes, but to give young people the support and experiences they need to thrive. For more information visit cabq.gov/family.