OUR KIDS ARE FACING A CRISIS
According to the Aspen Institute Project Play, “the average child today spends less than three years playing a sport, quitting by age 11,” missing out on the critical, holistic development of physical activity, social/emotional connections, and personal growth.
The latest data from the federal government shows that 49% of kids ages 6 to 17 did not play sports or take a sports lesson of some sort in 2021. |
In an age where nearly one-third (29%) of youth are experiencing poor mental health, the childhood obesity rate is 12.8%, and 31% of youth aged 15 and older are considered “insufficiently active”, we want find innovative solutions and help every child and teen have equal access to the life-changing power of sports.
WHY AREN'T KIDS PLAYING SPORTS?
Well, for lots of reasons. Financial access is a major one. Many families are unable to pay for pricy equipment, league fees, transportation costs, and other expenses that come along with participating in youth sports. When a family is struggling to make ends meet, sports often have to drop lower on the priority list.
Depending on where a youth lives, there might not even be access to high-quality sports in their area at all. Many facilities in Kansas City, whether in schools or otherwise, are in disrepair or lacking in basic equipment. In many communities, coaches are un- or under-qualified to do their jobs to the fullest, and there might not even be anyone to coach teams whatsoever.
There are also a host of distractions vying for youth's time and attention. It's hard to compete with the dopamine rush that kids (or any of us) experience while online, whether it's through social media, video games, or other digital activities. It's easier to turn to a device than to get motivated to exercise. But we know that when youth do, they feel better, experience more confidence, perform better in school, and succeed more in their careers down the line.
However, even though the problems are large, hope is not lost!
Depending on where a youth lives, there might not even be access to high-quality sports in their area at all. Many facilities in Kansas City, whether in schools or otherwise, are in disrepair or lacking in basic equipment. In many communities, coaches are un- or under-qualified to do their jobs to the fullest, and there might not even be anyone to coach teams whatsoever.
There are also a host of distractions vying for youth's time and attention. It's hard to compete with the dopamine rush that kids (or any of us) experience while online, whether it's through social media, video games, or other digital activities. It's easier to turn to a device than to get motivated to exercise. But we know that when youth do, they feel better, experience more confidence, perform better in school, and succeed more in their careers down the line.
However, even though the problems are large, hope is not lost!