BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's continue to support youth football in Northeast Ohio by announcing today they will be providing more than 1,500 USA Football Youth Coach Certifications to local tackle and flag football coaches for the 2025 season. This certification will ensure that thousands of young athletes benefit from the guidance of trained coaches throughout the year.
The decision to launch this initiative today aligns with the timeline of local youth programs gearing up for their eagerly anticipated Flag and Tackle seasons. The goal is to equip coaches with the essential skills and knowledge to create a safe and positive environment for young athletes as they prepare to start their seasons in the coming months.
Northeast Ohio youth football coaches whose leagues enroll with USA Football are eligible to receive Youth Coach Certification at no charge thanks to the Browns and University Hospitals. Enrollment with USA Football is free and open for all youth football organizations.
The Cleveland Browns are dedicated to advancing youth and high school football in Northeast Ohio by fostering participation, equity and development. Through year-round programming, including camps, clinics and other initiatives, the Browns' efforts are focused on creating equal opportunities for youth football participation, while supporting coaches, officials and parents.
"As the Browns continue to advance the game of football across Northeast Ohio, it's essential that we help support a positive approach for young athletes to learn and play the game," said Vice President of Community Relations of the Cleveland Browns, Jenner Tekancic. "Supporting local coaches to deliver a best-in-class athlete experience through the USA Football youth coach certification is a crucial step towards that vision and we are grateful of our partnership to offer this valuable opportunity to coaches."
Accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence's (USCCE), USA Football's Youth Coach Certification provides coaches with evidence-based knowledge, resources and skills to ensure they teach age-appropriate skills and take a holistic approach to both child and athlete development. More than one million coach certifications have been completed nationwide since 2012.
"The Cleveland Browns are raising the standard for youth football in Northeast Ohio by ensuring thousands of athletes experience the joys of America's favorite sport while learning from coaches who are prepared to help them develop in a healthy environment," said USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck. "USA Football is grateful to the Browns for their continued support of grassroots programs and the next generation of athletes."
USA Football's Youth Coach Certification encompasses the Football Development Model (FDM). Developed in partnership with medical, child development, long-term athlete development and football subject matter experts, the FDM aligns with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee's long-term athlete development principles. At its foundation, the FDM focuses on progressive skill instruction that teaches young athletes age-appropriate skills and meets them at their current stage of development.
"At University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute, we are dedicated to preventing injuries, facilitating recovery and promoting peak performance for athletes of all ages and levels," said James Voos, MD, head team physician for the Browns and the Jack and Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. "Together with the Cleveland Browns, our dedicated team helps ensure the health and safety of our athletes
through age-specific sports and safety programs. We are excited to continue this partnership and help young athletes stay on the field and excel in their game."
Programs and organizations that have not been involved with the certification code opportunity can learn how to do so by reaching out to our Youth Football Department at YouthFootball@clevelandbrowns.com.
About Browns Give Back:
The Cleveland Browns are committed to championing youth football and, education while also creating equitable opportunities for advancement in our community and throughout Ohio. Browns Give Back is the Cleveland Browns initiative dedicated to supporting our fans and neighbors. To learn more visit, https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/community/.
About University Hospitals:
Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 21 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system's flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including "America's Best Hospitals" from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.
About USA Football:
USA Football is the governing body of American Football in the United States. As a Recognized Sports Organization of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football, USA Football selects, trains and leads the U.S. National Teams in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. USA Football is committed to ensuring every athlete has access to develop and compete in the game through safer, inclusive and innovative pathways.
