PYSC acts as a central hub, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to coordinate a citywide initiative aimed at delivering meaningful sports opportunities to every young resident of Philadelphia.
Our Purpose
PYSC exists to foster equitable access to sports programs for every child, promoting their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the positive impact of sports.
Our Vision
PYSC works to enrich the lives of every child through the power of sports by collaborating with community-based providers and public agencies to foster accessible sports-based development programs.
Our Mission
PYSC imagines a world where every child has equal access to quality sports development programs, fostering holistic well-being, and cultivating skills for personal growth and resilience beyond the playing field.
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Our History
The Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative (PYSC) has been a leader in promoting Sports-Based Youth Development (SBYD) in Philadelphia since 2009. Founded by Nancy Peter and Wendy Palmer, the initiative began as a networking group for non-traditional sports-based youth development organizations and was initially housed at the University of Pennsylvania’s Out-of-School Time Resource Center.
After seven years of peer support and knowledge sharing, PYSC re-launched in 2015 as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. With a broader mission, PYSC now focuses on citywide structures aligned with its goals. Upon becoming a stand-alone nonprofit, PYSC revamped its mission and appointed a full-time executive director to enhance access to sports-based development programs for every child in Philadelphia.
Today, PYSC aims to make a meaningful impact on Philadelphia’s youth by advocating for the systems and organizations that provide sports-based programs, fostering partnerships among key stakeholders, and building a research base to demonstrate our effectiveness. Additionally, we offer training, education, and curriculum sharing to support these initiatives.
