Benefits of Recreation
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Higher Academic Achievement
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Increased Self-Esteem
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Social & Life Skills
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Lower Stress & Anxiety
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Healthier Body Image
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Teamwork & Mentorship
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Community Bonding
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Decrease drug & alcohol abuse
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Crime & Delinquency Prevention
In 2023, we launched two surveys to collect data and feedback from youth sports organizations and youth sport participants. This data and feedback is helped us draft our common agenda - "Playbook" - strategic plan.
PlayAnnapolis reached out to 85+ community organizations to share our survey on their social media and email lists. We collected 315 participant survey responses. Click on the button below to see the data from youth sport participants in the city of Annapolis.
PlayAnnapolis reached out to 24 youth sports organizations who serve the youth of Annapolis. 71% responded to our survey (17 organizations). Click on the button below to see the data from youth sports organizations in the city of Annapolis.
Research
Articles
Why 3 Out of 4 Parents Are Thinking About Pulling Their Kids Out of Sports
Kids benefit from sports in various ways, but the cost of their participation has become a problem for many families. A recent survey of parents across the country, commissioned by the nonprofit Good Sports, found that 56% of the respondents are worried they won’t be able to put their children in a sport next year because of the rising costs of participating.
The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance
What's Lost When Only Rich Kids Play Sports
"The income disparity in youth athletics has effects on health and success that stretch far into adulthood."
Finishing last girls of color and school sports opportunities
"Our nation’s schools remain highly segregated along racial and economic lines, and schools with high concentrations of minority and low-income students generally have fewer resources for academic and extracurricular activities."
By The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) & The Poverty & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC)
Benefits and challenges associated with sport participation by children and parents from low-income families
"The first purpose of this study was to examine low-income parents' and their children's perceptions of the benefits associated with participation in youth sport. The second purpose was to examine parents' perceptions of the challenges associated with providing their children sporting opportunities."
By Nicholas L. Holt, Bethan C. Kingsley, Lisa N. Tink, Jay Scherer
HOW TO SUPPORT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGH ACCESS TO SPORT
"Access to sport should be a universal right for kids, but unfortunately, even school sports have issues with access that are dependent on socioeconomic status. "
By Natalie Hummel, founder of Every Kid Sports
Disparities in Youth Sports and Barriers to Participation
"Youth sports participation has shifted from a school-based, seasonal activity to club-based, year-round activity over the past 10–15 years. Single sport specialization has become increasingly common with a concurrent increase in injury and burnout. "
Participation in Youth Sports is on the Decline. Who’s to Blame?
"Youth sports participation is on the decline. According to the Aspen Project, in 2018, 38% of children participated in a team sport, down from 45% in 2008. Is the toxic culture of youth sports to blame for this decline?"
American Meritocracy Is Killing Youth Sports
"Expensive travel leagues siphon off talented young athletes from well-off families—and leave everyone else behind."
National Youth Sport Strategy
The National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) is an essential resource for policymakers and key decision-makers in youth sports. It aims to unite U.S. youth sports culture around a shared vision: that one day, all youth will have the opportunity, motivation, and access to play sports.
By US Department of Health and Human Services
The Power of Physical Activity
In February, the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee submitted its Scientific Report to the US Secretary of Health and Human Services. This report summarizes the scientific evidence on physical activity and health and was used to develop the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
By Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee
Increase the proportion of children and adolescents who play sports
Healthy People 2030. This is the 10 year "health agenda" for the US. One specific objective related to child and adolescent sport participation.
In addition to the health benefits of physical activity, playing sports can improve economic, social, and academic outcomes for children and adolescents. Programs and policies at the local, state, and national level can increase access to sports facilities, and communities can work to make youth sports programs and facilities safe, accessible, and inclusive.
By US Department of Health and Human Services
Do Sports Programs Prevent Crime and Reduce Reoffending?
Sports programs are widely implemented as measures of crime prevention. In contrast to their popularity, there is little systematic knowledge about their effectiveness. This systematic review and meta-analysis have been carried out to fill this gap.
IOC and UNODC Highlight Sport’s Powerful Role in Youth Crime Prevention
Sport plays a crucial role in building safer communities and combatting youth violence and crime. This was highlighted during a high-level side event organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on 22 May in Vienna (Austria), as part of the 32nd UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).
By the INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC)