This is one of the first studies of its kind to systematically examine processes influencing youth entry, retention, and dropout from sports.

To accomplish this objective, the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), in partnership with The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, commissioned a national survey about the participation and experiences of youth in sports to identify the most important factors related to youth entrance into sport and those associated with dropping out of sports. The nationally representative survey was administered to 3,041 boys and girls between the ages of 7-17 and their parents/guardians to inquire about child-related, sport-related, and systemic factors expected to influence youth access, experiences and motivations for initial participation (entrance), and sustained/continued participation in organized sport.

Findings from this report provide important insights into the gender, race/ethnicity, and socio-economic disparities found in sports participation and dropout, and identify critical areas to intervene.