Feb. 13, 2026 -- The Lackawanna County Commissioners and the Parks & Recreation Department are launching an exciting new youth sports initiative in 2026. Utilizing a mixture of clinics, workshops and special events, the Lackawanna County Commissioners’ Sports Initiative will provide competitive, recreational and instructional opportunities for all ages and skill levels.

This initiative focuses heavily on youth sports where impactful changes can be powerful and quickly realized. The county encourages the development of positive sports cultures at the youth level, which positively impacts and elevates the collective sports culture across all levels and age groups.

The county has entered a partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance to offer educational opportunities and training for youth coaches and managers. A positive sports culture promotes and grows life skills and shape future community leaders and coaches.

“Lackawanna County strives to embrace the importance of sports within our community, to encourage life-long participation and to enhance the positive impacts that can result from recreation, wellness and sports programming in the county,” said Paul Bechtel, Lackawanna County Parks & Recreation Director.

First up in the series is the Youth Sports Spring Coaches Clinic on Saturday, March 7, at PNC Field, 235 Montage Mountain Road, Moosic. Tomm Evans, a certified trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance, will be guest speaker. The morning will feature several speakers covering topics such as sports psychology, fostering a lifelong love for the game and first aid procedures. The afternoon will break into specific spring sports sessions hosted by local coaches including baseball, softball and lacrosse. Sessions will cover drills and strategies for youth player development.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the University of Scranton and Dick’s House of Sport are teaming up with the county for the spring clinic. The cost is $15 or free with a Project Play “How to Coach Kids” certificate available at www.howtocoachkids.org. Simply bring a printout of the certificate to the clinic. The deadline to register is March 4.

Download the registration form here.