Why support “Save Youth Sports“?
Sports has been on the decline in many neighborhoods for years. The cost of fields, gyms, equipment, insurance and league fees have risen, so only the very wealthy can afford to play.
A growing body of research literature finds that in addition to improved physical health, sport plays a primarily positive role in youth development, including improved academic achievement, higher self-esteem, fewer behavioral problems, and better social skills
The literature on youth sport stresses the positive effects of participation in learning the important life skills and studies have shown that children participating in sports, when compared to peers who do not play sports, exhibit:
• Higher grades;
• Greater personal confidence and self-esteem;
• Greater connections with school— that is, greater attachment and support from adults;
• Stronger peer relationships;
• More parent interactions;
• Avoiding risky behavior;
Sport provides opportunities for children and youth to engage in valuable and positive relationships with adults, which is especially important when such benefits are not available at home. Sport provides an opportunity for children to safely navigate and negotiate between right and wrong as they learn to interact with peers and adults.
Girls in Sports
A 2007 study found that women who played sport in high school were 73 percent more likely to earn a college degree within six years of graduating high school than those who did not play sports.
Sports psychology research has shown that girls gain confidence and self-esteem through participation in sport and physical activity. A positive team sport experience may mediate the risks of low social
Positive Effects
There is no question that providing opportunities for youth to play sport provides community benefit—if for no other reason than idle time can be filled with activities that are healthy and positive. For example, when Phoenix, Arizona, basketball courts and other recreational facilities were kept open until 2 a.m. during summer hours, juvenile crime dropped 55 percent. Similarly, crime rates dropped by 24 percent after late night recreation programs were started in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Sports is a powerful tool and has proved to bridge gaps in communities and give people hope.