Youth Sports Statistics

Some 20 million boys and girls play organized sports in the U.S.; 70% will quit playing by age 13 (Source: National Alliance for Sports http://life.familyeducation.com/sports/behavior/29512.html

Top reasons children quit playing organized sports include: (Source: Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, Michigan State University, 2004)

• Not having fun

• Coach played favorites/was poor teacher

• Overemphasis on competition

•  Frustration with not getting to play

•  Not learning skills and gaining experience

A positive sports environment helps children develop physical skills, get exercise, make friends, have fun, learn to play as a member of a team, learn to play fair, and improve self-esteem. (Source: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2005)

Importance of Building Skills and Making Sports Fun

Why Children Play

• More than 65% of children say they participate in sports to be with friends (Source: Athletic Footwear Association, 1990)
• Other top reasons why children participate in sports: (Source: Athletic Footwear Association, 1990)

ú  To have fun

ú  To improve their skills

 Why Children Quit

• 64% of parents say their children have been dissatisfied with their sports experience (Source: National PTA Convention Survey, 2003)
• 44% of parents say their child has dropped out of an activity because it made them unhappy (Source: National PTA Convention Survey, 2003)
  
  

What Children Really Want

• 72% of boys and girls would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench for a winning team (Source: The Josephson Institute of Ethics, 2004)
• 71% of children say they wouldn’t care if no score were kept in their games (Source: USA Today, September 9, 1990)
• Only 1 in 5 athletes feel they have to win in order to enjoy their sport (Source: The Josephson Institute of Ethics, 2004)

The Ugly Side of “Win at All Costs” Sports Mentalities

Among Athletes

• Nearly 1 in 10 young athletes acknowledge cheating (Source: Journal of Research in Character Education, 2005)
• 14% of young athletes say they believe cheating is an acceptable behavior (Source: Journal of Research in Character Education, 2005)
• 13% of young athletes have tried to injure an opponent (Source: Journal of Research in Character Education, 2005)
• 27% of young athletes have admitted to acting like a "bad sport" (Source: Journal of Research in Character Education, 2005)
• 32% of young athletes consider arguing with officials to be part of the game (Source: Journal of Research in Character Education, 2005)

 Among Coaches

• 8% of coaches have encouraged their athletes to hurt an opponent (Source: Journal of Research in Character Education, 2005)
• 7% of coaches have condoned cheating (Source: Journal of Research in Character Education, 2005)
• 20% of coaches have made fun of a team member with limited skills (Source: Journal of Research in Character Education, 2005)

 Among Parents

• 60% of adults in the United States have witnessed a parent become physically or verbally abusive toward a coach or official at a children’s sporting event (Source: Reuters/Ipsos poll, 2010)

 Upward Sports Provides a Positive Experience for Children and Their Families

• Provides a fun sports experience based on healthy competition for kids, teaching skills for the sports arena and values for life
• Guarantees balanced talent on each team through strict adherence to a proprietary drafting system
• Uses a unique substitution system designed to provide every child equal playing time, competing against an equally matched opponent
• Provides athletes valuable game-time experience that improves skills and builds healthy self-confidence
• Stresses values—such as sportsmanship, teamwork, integrity and respect—as much as winning
• Limits time commitments to avoid player and parent burnout