By Ken Reed
According to national data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), boys participation in sports has dropped from 50% to 40% in one decade.
Boys are still participating in sports at a higher rate than girls but the gap is closing. Girls’ sports participation rate was 35%, according to SFIA. The rate for girls has been on the rise the last decade.
In related data, for young children ages 6-12, there was a decline of 5% in sports participation, from 2019-2022.
The federal government has set a national overall goal for youth sports participation of 63% by 2030. The chances of reaching that goal seem bleak, given current trends. Only two states, Minnesota and Massachusetts, have reached that rate.
The Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative compiled the data.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
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