Sports Professional Associations & Organizations

List of Sports Professional Associations & Organizations

The following List of Sports Professional Associations & Organizations features a compilation of membership-based organizations for sports professionals.

Joining professional associations is a great way to pursue professional development and connect with like-minded sports professionals. It also enhances your credentials on your Resume and LinkedIn profile.

Read: Best and Worst Resume Services on BBB

Related: How to Build Your Network Using Professional Associations

I recommend using this list as a starting point to identify organizations you’re interested in joining, then researching membership costs, eligibility, and how each aligns with your career goals.

Here’s the List:

• American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) is a non-profit amateur baseball coaching association committed to bettering the game of amateur baseball.
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) offers membership to those with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a field related to health, physical education or exercise science.
• American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) facilitates the discussion of all matters pertaining to the game of football and the football coaching profession.
• American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) maintains the highest possible standards in hockey and the hockey profession.
• American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is a membership-based organization dedicated to promoting the motorcycle lifestyle and protecting the interests and rights of motorcyclists.
• American Pool Players Association (APA) is a membership-based professional association for US pool players.
• American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) is based on a central theme of leadership in American swimming through education, certification, and cooperation.
• Association of Pickleball Players (APP) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to the growth and advancement of pickleball as a competitive and recreational sport.
• Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to preserving public lands, wildlife habitats, and hunting access in the backcountry.
• Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) is dedicated to growing the game of lacrosse and providing an invaluable network of support among our coaches.
• International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) is a nonprofit service and professional organization managed by and for basketball referees.
• National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) works to further the best interests of the game of basketball as well as the players and coaches who participate in the sport.
• National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) is a membership organization for athletics directors, assistant athletics directors, and conference commissioners.
• National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) is the world’s largest organization for sports officials at every level and in all sports.
• National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the interests of independent bicycle retailers.
• National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association (NCBCA) is a membership organization for college bowling coaches, assistant coaches, club advisors, and student leaders.
• National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is the premier professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all competitive levels of play. 
• National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a membership organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game.
• National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) is a membership-based organization dedicated to advancing recreation, sport, and wellness in higher education.
• National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the sport of reining.
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is a membership organization for elite strength coaches, personal trainers and dedicated researchers and educators.
• National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) welcomes members including wrestling coaches, fans, administrators, retired coaches, officials and other supporters.
• Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the world’s largest ocean exploration and diver organization.
• Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) is a membership-based organization dedicated to improving the quality of volleyball officiating.
• Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to supporting and promoting ten-pin bowling.
• Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is a membership-based organization comprised of talented cowboys, cowgirls, and rodeo enthusiasts.
• Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) is a membership-based professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide.
• Strength & Conditioning Association of Professional Hockey (SCAPH) is a membership-based professional organization for hockey coaches and strength coaches.
• United Soccer Coaches is the trusted and unifying voice, advocate, and partner for coaches of all levels of the game.
• United States Elite Coaches Association for Women’s Gymnastics (USECA) is an organization for coaches devoted to the progress of competitive level gymnastics.
• United States Rowing Association (USRowing) is a membership-based professional and amateur sports organization dedicated to advancing the sport of rowing in the United States.
• United States Swim School Association (USSSA) is dedicated to advancing the swim school industry and promoting water safety and learn-to-swim programs.
• United States Tennis Association (USTA) is a membership-based professional and amateur sports organization dedicated to promoting, developing, and governing the sport of tennis.
• USA Archery (USAA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to promoting and growing the sport of archery in the United States.
• USA Hockey is a membership-based organization for ice hockey professionals including coaches and referees.
• USA Luge is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the sport of luge in the United States
• USA Pickleball Association (USAP) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to promoting the development and growth of pickleball across the United States.
• USA Softball (USAS) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to governing and promoting the sport of softball in the United States.
• USA Ultimate is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to promoting and developing the sport of ultimate (frisbee) in the United States.
• U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is a membership organization representing cross country and track & field coaches in the US.

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