Why
Youth
Sports
All kids can benefit from participating in youth sports!
According to our research, the #1 reason kids play sports is to have fun with their friends — and that’s what park and rec sports are all about. Data also shows us that:
Youth sports help students thrive in school.
In just one example, data shows that sports involvement in high school helps student athletes attend college and earn a degree.
Youth sports help children build the skills they need to succeed in their careers.
Studies show that students who participate in sports are more likely to be hired for jobs they are interested in.
Children who participate in sports grow up healthier — and the physical benefits of sports follow kids into adulthood.
Sports help kids maintain a healthy weight and build lifelong healthy habits, with one study showing physical activity as one of the least expensive ways to live a healthier lifestyle.
Sports help improve children’s mental and emotional health and provide opportunities to develop social skills.
According to a study, kids who regularly participate in physical activity feel happier, develop self-confidence and learn collaborative skills like teamwork.
That’s why park and recreation agencies offer affordable, FUN options for sports and play that help our community’s children thrive.
- While park and recreation professionals teach kids how to play sports like softball and basketball, they make sure children have fun in a safe environment while they learn and play.
- Because park and recreation programs are in local communities, families like yours save time and money since you don’t have to travel far for your child’s sports.
- Park and recreation coaches — ones like Lidia and Tommy — are invested in kids’ success because they are caring adults from local communities who are passionate about sports and coaching.
When parents like you enroll your children in youth sports, you’re setting them up for success.
Our research includes data pulled from Project Play, the signature initiative of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program, the Rand Corporation, the National Library of Medicine, the Sequor Youth Development Initiative and NRPA focus group and survey findings.
