“Without our volunteers, we could not run the YMCA Youth Sports Program.”
At the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, youth sports leagues are made possible by the people who choose to show up for kids.
Across the association, YMCA youth sports leagues are volunteer led, with parents, caregivers, community members, and local supporters coaching teams. From basketball and soccer to cheerleading, T-ball, flag football and more, volunteer coaches are at the center of every season.
This year, that support has continued to grow. Youth sports enrollment is up 12% compared to last year, and 388 volunteers have helped lead teams and support leagues across the association. At the Tom Taylor Family YMCA, youth sports recently reached its biggest season ever, with about 450 kids participating.
“Without our volunteers, we could not run that program,” said Matt McDonnell, Senior Youth Program Director at the Gordon Family YMCA. “It’s really cool to see the impact our community has shown for us.”
At the Mel Korum Family YMCA, Coach Ali is one example of the difference a volunteer coach can make. She first started coaching when her son asked if she would lead his flag football team. What began as one season quickly grew into something much bigger. Three years later, she was coaching nearly every sport, nearly every season, with families returning again and again because of the energy, care, and connection she brought to each team.
For Ali, coaching is about helping kids feel confident, included, and supported.
“Every kid is different, and I like figuring out what makes them tick,” she said. “I try to get to know each one and see what helps them connect.”
That kind of connection is what makes volunteer coaches such an important part of YMCA youth sports. Coaches teach the rules of the game, but they also help kids practice teamwork, patience, effort, and respect. They encourage players after a missed shot, celebrate small wins, and help create a place where kids can try something new without feeling like they have to be perfect.
YMCA staff help organize leagues, support families, and guide the season, but the heart of the program comes from volunteers who give their time week after week. Their support allows more kids to participate and helps build a stronger sense of community around every team.
“When parents get involved, it means so much,” Ali said. “The kids notice. They really do.”
Each season is a reminder that youth sports are strengthened by the people who step in, listen, encourage, and lead. Whether they are experienced coaches or volunteering for the first time, YMCA volunteer coaches help create a place where kids can play, belong, and grow.