EAGAN, Minne — The Minnesota Vikings will support Minnesota’s children in statewide youth football programs USA Soccer Youth Coach Certification for more than 650 youth coaches in 2022. The Vikings and USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and member of the US 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 for free with USA Football are eligible to receive the USA Football-accredited youth coach certification for free. USA soccer Registration is free and open to all youth football organizations throughout Minnesota.
USA Football’s youth coaching certification, recently recognized as the only football coaching education accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellenceoffers leading coach and player education standards.
“As we seek to continue to grow the game of football and provide children with the empowering benefits of team sports, it is imperative that we teach children how to play the game properly,” said Brett Taber, Vikings vice president of social impact. “The USA Football Youth Coach Certification provides coaches with the curriculum and support they need to be excellent teachers of the children in their care.”
USA Football’s youth coaching certification includes the Soccer Development Model (FDM) to help coaches teach the sport based on a child’s age, developmental level and the type of football game 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 athlete training developed in partnership with national leaders in medicine, football and sports science from the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Children’s National Hospital, Dartmouth College and others.
“The Vikings consistently provide exceptional support to young football families throughout Minnesota and the leagues that serve them,” said Scott Hallenbeck, CEO and executive director of USA Football. “Viking endorsement coupled with our best-in-class youth coach certification gives coaches access to vital instruction to teach the sport and improve player safety through transformative coaching to help young athletes nationwide have fun, friends and enjoy fitness through football.”
Since 2013, nearly 1 million USA Football Youth Coach certifications have been completed by coaches in all 50 states, Washington, DC and 10 other countries on four continents. USA Football trains more youth football coaches than any other organization in the United States. With 650 certifications expected this year, the Vikings will have helped certify nearly 3,000 youth coaches between 2016-22.
USA soccer develops and delivers world-class educational, developmental and competitive programs to advance and grow the sport. As the sport’s national governing body, member of the US Olympic Committee and organizer of the US national team’s international competitions, USA Football works with leaders in medicine, child welfare and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players .
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