First Tee recently hosted its 2024 Network Summit in Phoenix, Ariz., where more than 800 chapter leaders and partners from across the globe gathered for the biennial event. The youth development organization announced that future plans would focus on prioritizing teen and alumni engagement, innovative gamification strategies, and ongoing education for adults in the network. It also shared plans for the inaugural First Tee Week, an awareness campaign slated for May 19-25, 2025, that will coincide with the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth and celebrate the contributions of First Tee sports coaches.
“For more than 27 years First Tee has continued to strengthen and evolve while remaining committed to the kids, families and communities we serve,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We come together to learn, grow and align around our priorities at this Network Summit. I am deeply proud of the work of our chapters and thank the sponsors who have made the gathering possible.”
Highlights discussed at the Network Summit included:
• Placing a greater emphasis on serving participants through their teenage years, which is a critical time of development. To reinforce this, First Tee added technology and gamification to the experience and continues to offer impactful national teen opportunities, which serve nearly 350 participants a year.
• Launch of the First Tee Alumni Network, where former participants can stay connected to each other and the organization for continued professional development and opportunities to serve as volunteers and coaches at its chapters.
• Roll out of First Tee University, an enrichment program for the 10,000 adults involved in the network, providing access to year-round professional development and continuing education.
• Continued investment in academic research and coach training. According to recent research from First Tee and Harris Poll, 93% of parents believe their kids can learn important life skills through sports, however, four out of five see a shortage of high caliber coaches in youth sports today.
In addition to the above key talking points, the rallying event for First Tee chapters also featured networking opportunities, professional development classes, and inspiring general sessions.
During the week in Phoenix, First Tee also hosted the First Tee Alumni Summit presented by Gallagher, the First Tee Partner Summit supported by CapTech and the Innovators Forum, a leadership event that brought together 32 teens from across the country to develop service projects they will implement in their communities.
Founded in 1997, First Tee is a nonprofit youth development organization that uses golf to help young people build character and life skills. With 150 Chapters around the world, First Tee serves more than 3.3 million kids with the help of more than 10,000 adults, including volunteers, staff members, coaches and board members.
To learn more about First Tee, click here.
