RESEARCH RELEASE: POWER IN NUMBERS
CSEq's participatory action research is now public. Our research team — spanning Temple University, the University of Washington, Louisiana State University, and Adelphi University — worked alongside 14 member coalitions to understand what makes local sport equity coalitions effective.
Four reports are now available at coalitionsforsportequity.org/research:
On March 26, we gathered with researchers and practitioners to talk through what it all means in practice. Dr. Gareth Jones (Temple), Dr. Julie McCleery (UW), and Tracy Myers (King County Play Equity Coalition) joined for a conversation to discuss this data and how it lands in practice.
A few key takeaways:
Process mattered just as much, if not more, than structure. How a coalition is built (governance model, size, how long it's been around) didn't predict how effective it was. What did: whether members trusted each other, communicated well, and shared a sense of purpose.
79% of members said their coalition improved the quality of sport and play in their area.
Real change is happening at the local level. For example, the term "play equity" spreading across a region, picked up by funders and pro sports teams who weren't even part of the coalition. Coalitions are making meaningful change, but it is hard to measure.
Full recap at coalitionsforsportequity.org/news/recap-research-webinar-march-2026.
