HERE'S THE REALITY
Youth sport participation is down. Lack of access
to play spaces, pay-to-play models, early sport specialization, and professionalization have become significant barriers to youth sports participation. At the same time, mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, and suicide, are increasing in young people, and less than one quarter of young people in the United States participate in the recommended amount of physical activity.
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2,3
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Why We Exist
THE GOOD NEWS
With the right structure and leadership, sports participation has the capacity to improve the physical, mental, and social health of young people. The creation of supportive and skill building sport environments can positively impact the lives of young people, providing opportunities for healthy physical, mental and social development and learning life skills that can translate to other domains of life, such as healthy relationships, education, and work.
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COACHES ARE
THE ANSWER
With declining sports participation and increasing physical and mental health concerns, young people need positive sport experiences now more than ever. Coaches — those with the most potential to positively impact young people engaged in sport and physical activity — have the opportunity to be trusting, supportive adults who are integral in the healthy development of young people. All they need - and want - is the support and resources to do so.
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AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE.
1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2019). The National Youth Sports Strategy (p. 112). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-10/National_Youth_Sports_Strategy.pdf
2 Mojtabai, R., Olfson, M., & Han, B. (2016). National Trends in the Prevalence and Treatment of Depression in Adolescents and Young Adults. PEDIATRICS, 138(6), e20161878–e20161878. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1878
3 Curtin, S. C. (2019). Death Rates Due to Suicide and Homicide Among Persons Aged 10–24: United States, 2000–2017. 352, 8.
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020b). CDC: Physical Activity Facts. Physical Activity Facts. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm
5 Eime, R. M., Young, J. A., Harvey, J. T., Charity, M. J., & Payne, W. R. (2013). A systematic review of the psychological and social benefits of participation in sport for children and adolescents: Informing development of a conceptual model of health through sport. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10(1), 98. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-10-98
6 The Aspen Institute: Project Play. (2013). Kid-Focused, Coach-Driven: What Training is Needed? [Roundtable Summary]. The Aspen Institute. https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/files/content/upload/Kid_Focused_Coach_Driven_Summary_Report.pdf