Why Kids Quit Sports, and What It Tells Us About How We Measure Success
Every season, sports program leaders are tasked with figuring out how to determine success. Most organizations are quick to reference program revenues, enrollment numbers, college commitments, and of course, wins and losses.
These traditional success metrics are valuable, but on their own, they provide an incomplete picture. They cannot tell us whether a young athlete enjoys the experience, feels a sense of belonging, or leaves practice wanting to come back – all important indicators of whether a youth sports program is truly serving the young people in it, and the reasons kids choose to play sports in the first place.
In an era when only a quarter of children ages 6-17 meet physical activity guidelines and 70% of young athletes drop out of sports entirely by age 13, keeping kids in the game and developing their passion for healthy lifestyles is critical, and the guiding purpose behind every Asphalt Green Sports program.
Across competitive teams, recreational leagues, and instructional classes, the Asphalt Green sports curriculum is designed to prioritize the development of young athletes. That means focusing on fun, learning through play and enjoyment, and pursuing growth at a pace that’s right for every athlete we serve. It also means paying attention to what young people’s choices can tell us about the experiences we are creating. Dropout and return rates are among the signals we pay close attention to – not because every child who leaves a program represents a failure, but because the decision to stay, leave, or return can tell us something important.
As we approach the mid-point of Asphalt Green’s fall sports term, this is a critical point for those we serve. Midseason is when a child, brand new to a sport and eager to play, discovers the program he signed up for isn’t suited to his skill level; when a younger athlete discovers a passion for another sport and shifts focus; or when a more experienced athlete progresses quickly and is ready for even more advanced training. There are countless reasons why an athlete may wish to stop participating in their program. Our responsibility is not to prevent every departure, but to support young athletes in finding the next right step in their journey, no matter how non-linear it may be.
“Keeping young people engaged in sport long enough to experience its physical, social, and emotional benefits is itself an important measure of success – whether their pathway leads to recreation participation, competitive achievement, or simply a lifelong relationship with movement. “
If you’re a coach, parent, or program leader eager to keep your athlete active and passionate about sports, midseason is a valuable opportunity to check in. Here are three questions worth asking:
1. Is the youth athlete still having fun?
Fun does not mean every practice needs to be easy. Learning new skills, competing, and working through challenges can all be deeply rewarding parts of sport. Ask young athletes what they look forward to most – and what they don’t. Their answers can tell us a great deal about whether challenge and enjoyment are in the right balance.
2. Do they feel like they belong?
Relationships with coaches and teammates are not incidental to the youth sports experience; they are central to it. Young athletes who feel known, valued, and connected have another reason to keep showing up. Coaches and parents should pay attention not only to how an athlete is performing, but to how they are experiencing the team or program around them.
3. Are they being challenged at the right level?
Development is rarely linear. Some athletes need greater challenge; others need more time, confidence, or support before taking the next step. The goal is to help each young person find the environment in which they can continue to learn, grow, and enjoy the experience.
Start Your Athletic Journey with Asphalt Green
If you have a young athlete who’s building their passion for sports, Asphalt Green’s winter term is right around the corner.
Across our recreational classes, leagues, lessons, and competitive teams, we pursue athletic development by prioritizing fun. When young athletes are given the space and opportunity to develop their passion for play, they create a foundation of dedication and commitment that can lead to success, on and off the field.
Explore our full range of programs below to start your athletic journey with Asphalt Green.
