Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Partners with BHHS Legacy Foundation to Tackle Arizona’s Youth Mental Health and Sports Participation Crisis

PHOENIX, AZ – January 21, 2026 – Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) today announced a major new initiative aimed at transforming the culture of youth sports in Maricopa County, made possible thanks in part to support from the BHHS Legacy Foundation. This partnership will underwrite a minimum of fifty (50) PCA workshops in 2026, targeting coaches, parents, and youth sports leaders to improve outcomes for young athletes.

The initiative comes at a critical time for Arizona’s youth. Recent data from a Project Play / Aspen Institute Study reveals alarming statistics: Arizona currently ranks 50th nationally for youth mental health and 49th for youth sports participation, with only 42.6% of children engaging in organized sports. Furthermore, nearly one in three Arizona children are classified as overweight or obese. PCA believes that access to a positive youth sports experience is a powerful pathway to better mental health, academic success, and overall life outcomes.

“Access to youth sports is a fundamental right, and every child deserves a positive experience,” said Rich Tomey, PCA’s Regional Director. “Through the generous support of BHHS Legacy Foundation, we can directly address the concerning trends in Arizona by bringing our essential workshops to the communities that need them most.”

Programming will be strategically focused on Maricopa County only, specifically reaching Valley of The Sun YMCA facilities and programs, and Maricopa County Title 1 Schools. Eligible Title 1 school districts include Mesa Unified, Peoria Unified, Gilbert Unified, and others.

The workshops will focus on developing a positive sports culture and will include key workshops and trainings such as:

• Student-Athlete Character & Leadership Development
• Developing Competitors through Positive Coaching
• Coaching With Empathy
• Developing Competitors and Mental Wellness Through Positive Coaching
• Positive Sports Parenting
• Honoring The Game: Social Media Use

Districts and individual schools in Maricopa County who are interested in partnering with PCA as part of this initiative can fill out this interest form or reach out directly to PCA’s program manager: Kristi Yamaoka (kristi_yamaoka@positivecoach.org).

About Positive Coaching Alliance

PCA is a national non-profit organization with the mission to change the culture of youth sports so that every child, regardless of social or economic circumstance, has access to a positive youth sports experience. PCA partners with schools, organizations and professional sports teams including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns & Mercury, Arizona Cardinals and The Fiesta Sports Foundation. To learn more about PCA, visit: www.positivecoach.org.

About BHHS Legacy Foundation

BHHS Legacy Foundation supports organizations that enhance health and quality of life in the Greater Phoenix area and the Tri-State region of northern Arizona. It does this by funding grants to nonprofits with health-related programs, nurturing collaborative partnerships, and raising funds through Legacy Connection to support community organizations. To date, BHHS Legacy Foundation has invested more than $150 million in nonprofits to support programs in our communities.