Major studies show that by 3rd grade, 51% of the children raised in suburban neighborhoods have participated in sports, while inner city neighborhood 3rd graders, only have a 17% participation rate. One reason is the high cost of youth sports.
Sports has many positive outcomes for inner city youth. Increased graduation rates, Higher GPA’s, reduced property crimes, just to name a few.
A study of inner city, low and very low income, revealed “significant differences” in the academic performance of athletes and non athletes. The study looked at 125,000 high school students at 131 schools. The seven criteria looked at included: GPA, attendance rate, two different end-of-course testing components, discipline referrals, dropout rates and graduation rates. Athletes did better in every aspect.
ACADEMIC BENEFITS
- GPA: Athletes 2.98 – Non-Athletes 2.17.
- Algebra: Athletes 6.1 – Non-Athletes 57.9
- English: Athletes 61.4 – Non-Athletes 50.8.
- Attendance: Athletes missed 6.3 days – Non-Athletes missed 11.9 days
- Discipline Referrals: Athletes 33.3% – Non-Athletes 41.8%
- Dropout Rate: Athletes 0.6% – Non-Athletes 10.32%
- Graduation Rate: Athletes 99.4% – Non-Athletes 93.51
SOCIAL BENEFITS
Still not convinced Athletics helps inner-city youth? The internet is loaded with reports by Universities and sports organizations that shows communities with subsidized sports based program (Including midnight basketball) have less property crime, violent crime and increased graduation rates.
From the Locker Room to the Board Room
A 2002 Massachusetts Financial Group and Oppenheimer Funds commissioned study, interviewed more than 400 business executives at companies with more than 100 employees. The results revealed the following statistics:
- 81% played organized team sports growing up and continue to be physically active;
- 86% believed sports helped them to be more disciplined;
- 69% believe sports assisted in the development of their leadership skills and contributed to professional success;
- 68% credited sports with helping them deal with failure;
- 59% noted that sports gave them a competitive edge.
Help Save Youth Sports…
We work with youth sports administrators and community recreation centers to provide financial support and promote youth participation in needed areas.
Your support and volunteer help is welcome and appreciated… Please help us spread the word about increasing participation for youth sports in inner city, low income neighborhoods. contact us.