EAGAN, Minn. — Benefitting Minnesota children in youth football programs statewide, the Minnesota Vikings will provide USA Football Youth Coach Certification for more than 650 youth coaches in 2022. The Vikings and USA Football, the sport's national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, are committed to providing positive, healthy experiences for young athletes and their families.
As a result of the Vikings contribution, Minnesota youth football coaches whose leagues enroll with USA Football free of cost are eligible to receive USA Football's accredited youth coach certification at no charge. USA Football enrollment is free and open to all youth football organizations across Minnesota.
USA Football's Youth Coach Certification, which recently earned recognition as the only training for football coaches accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence, provides leading coach and player education standards.
"As we look to continue growing the game of football and giving kids the fortifying benefits of team sports, it is imperative that we teach children how to play the game the right way," said Vikings Vice President of Social Impact Brett Taber. "USA Football youth coach certification provides coaches with the curriculum and support they need to be exceptional teachers for the kids under their care."
USA Football's Youth Coach Certification encompasses the Football Development Model (FDM) to help coaches teach the sport based on a child's age, stage of development and football game type played. Introduced in 2020, the FDM is the first national application of a long-term athlete development model for American Football. It is a comprehensive approach to training athletes created in partnership with national leaders in medicine, football, and exercise science from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Children's National Hospital, Dartmouth College and others.
"The Vikings consistently deliver exceptional support to youth football families across Minnesota and to the leagues that serve them," said USA Football CEO & Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck. "Support by the Vikings melded with our best-in-class youth coach certification wins coaches access to vitally important instruction to teach the sport and advance player safety through transformative coaching to help young athletes statewide enjoy fun, friends and fitness through football."
Since 2013, nearly 1 million USA Football Youth Coach Certifications have been completed by coaches in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 10 foreign countries across four continents. USA Football trains more youth football coaches than any organization in the United States. With the anticipated 650 certifications this year, the Vikings will have helped certify nearly 3,000 youth coaches between 2016-22.
About USA Football
USA Football designs and delivers premier educational, developmental, and competitive programs to advance and grow the sport. As the sport's national governing body, member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and organizer of the U.S. National Team for international competition, USA Football partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players.
