Find the right organizations for youth sport programs across the United States. Navigate national governing bodies (NGBs), state associations, and sanctioning organizations to build stronger programs.
Youth sport organizations, national governing bodies, and sanctioning bodies in alphabetical order
NGB: USA Archery | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Archery JOAD, NASP (school-based)
USA Archery governs target archery; JOAD is the primary youth pathway; NASP is school-based.
NGB: USA Badminton | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Badminton Junior, Member Clubs
USA Badminton is the NGB; youth development through junior circuits and clubs.
NGB: USA Baseball | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: Little League Baseball, USSSA Baseball, PONY Baseball, Babe Ruth League, Cal Ripken Baseball
USA Baseball is the NGB; youth play is largely organized through the listed sanctioning bodies.
NGB: USA Basketball | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: AAU Basketball, USSSA Basketball, Jr. NBA
USA Basketball is the NGB; AAU and Jr. NBA organize large youth ecosystems.
NGB: USA Boxing | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Boxing Local Boxing Committees (LBCs)
USA Boxing governs Olympic-style boxing; youth development via LBCs and clubs.
NGB: USA Cricket
Youth/Sanctioning: US Youth Cricket Association, American Cricket Enterprises / leagues
USA Cricket is the NGB; youth development often via regional clubs and the USYCA.
NGB: USA Track & Field (USATF) | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USATF Youth, AAU Cross Country, NFHS (Scholastic)
Cross country is governed by USATF for club/youth; extensive scholastic play via NFHS member associations.
NGB: USA Cycling | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Cycling Local Associations, NICA (Interscholastic MTB)
USA Cycling governs competitive cycling; NICA runs scholastic mountain biking leagues.
NGB: USA Diving | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Diving Clubs, AAU Diving, YMCA Diving
USA Diving governs springboard and platform diving; AAU offers extensive youth events.
NGB: USA Fencing | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Fencing Divisions, Member Clubs
USA Fencing governs foil, épée, sabre; youth events through member clubs/divisions.
NGB: USA Field Hockey | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: AAU Field Hockey, Regional scholastic associations
USA Field Hockey is the NGB; AAU supports youth events; many programs run through schools/clubs.
NGB: USA Football
Youth/Sanctioning: NFL FLAG, Pop Warner Little Scholars, AAU Football
USA Football is the NGB; NFL FLAG and Pop Warner are leading youth programs.
NGB: USA Golf (Olympic Federation); USGA (Rules/Amateur) | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: First Tee, PGA Jr. League, AJGA (American Junior Golf Association)
USGA governs rules & amateur status; USA Golf oversees Olympic matters; strong youth programs via First Tee and PGA Jr. League.
NGB: USA Gymnastics | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Gymnastics Member Clubs, AAU Gymnastics, YMCA Gymnastics
Covers artistic, rhythmic, trampoline & tumbling; strong youth pipeline via member clubs.
NGB: USA Hockey | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: AAU Ice Hockey, State hockey associations
USA Hockey is the NGB; many youth leagues are chartered via state/territory affiliates; AAU also sanctions.
NGB: USA Judo | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Judo Clubs, USJF, USJA
USA Judo is the NGB; youth development also through USJF and USJA organizations.
NGB: USA National Karate-do Federation (USA Karate) | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Karate Member Dojos, AAU Karate, USANKF events
USA Karate is the recognized NGB; large youth participation via dojos and AAU circuits.
NGB: USA Lacrosse | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: US Club Lacrosse, National Lacrosse Federation (NLF), USSSA Lacrosse
USA Lacrosse is the NGB; multiple bodies sanction youth travel play.
NGB: USA Pickleball | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Pickleball Youth Programs, PPA Junior, APP Junior
Rapidly growing youth participation; USA Pickleball sets rules and provides resources.
NGB: Independent (multiple federations)
Youth/Sanctioning: USAPL, USPA, AAU Powerlifting
Not an Olympic sport; youth competition sanctioned by independent federations (USAPL, USPA, AAU).
NGB: USA Rugby | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: Regional/state youth rugby unions (e.g., Rugby Ohio)
USA Rugby is the NGB; youth competition is organized regionally by state unions.
NGB: USA Shooting | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: SCTP (Scholastic Clay Target Program), CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program)
USA Shooting governs Olympic disciplines; youth development through SCTP and CMP.
NGB: U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS), AYSO, SAY Soccer, US Club Soccer
USSF governs national teams and licensing; USYS, AYSO, SAY, and US Club Soccer are major youth associations.
NGB: USA Softball | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USSSA Softball, PONY Softball, Little League Softball, NSA (National Softball Association), NAFA (North American Fastpitch Association)
USA Softball is the NGB; USSSA, PONY, Little League, NSA, and NAFA are major youth/travel sanctioning bodies.
NGB: USA Swimming | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Swimming LSCs, YMCA Swimming, AAU Swimming
USA Swimming governs competitive swimming; many youth teams operate under Local Swimming Committees (LSCs).
NGB: USA Table Tennis (USATT) | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USATT Member Clubs, NCTTA (college dev pipeline)
USATT governs table tennis; youth development primarily through member clubs.
NGB: USA Taekwondo | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Taekwondo Member Clubs
USA Taekwondo is the NGB; youth pathways via dojangs and member clubs.
NGB: United States Tennis Association (USTA) | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USTA Junior Tennis, USTA Net Generation, Universal Tennis (UTR)
USTA governs tennis in the U.S.; youth pathways through Net Generation and junior circuits.
NGB: USA Track & Field (USATF) | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USATF Youth, AAU Track & Field, National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF)
USATF is the NGB for athletics; youth competition runs through USATF Youth and AAU.
NGB: USA Triathlon (USAT) | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USAT Youth & Junior, IronKids (select markets)
USA Triathlon governs the sport nationally; youth/junior programs offered via USAT member clubs.
NGB: USA Ultimate
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Ultimate Youth Club, High school leagues
USA Ultimate governs the sport across all levels; robust high-school and club ecosystems.
NGB: USA Volleyball | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: AAU Volleyball, USSSA Volleyball, Junior Volleyball Association (JVA)
USA Volleyball governs indoor, beach, and sitting; AAU and JVA run major youth tournaments.
NGB: USA Water Polo | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: American Water Polo
USA Water Polo is the NGB; American Water Polo supports scholastic/developmental play.
NGB: USA Weightlifting | State Associations
Youth/Sanctioning: USA Weightlifting Clubs, Local Districts
USA Weightlifting governs Olympic weightlifting; youth development via clubs and Local Weightlifting Committees (LWCs).
Leadership Through Sport helps youth sport leaders navigate these organizations and build stronger programs that develop character and leadership skills.
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Last updated: October 2024 | Use Ctrl+F to search for specific sports or organizations