The Changing Landscape of Youth Sports: What Every Parent Should Know
The Changing Landscape of Youth Sports: What Every Parent Should Know
As many of you know I am a runner and LOVE running! BUT if I could never run another step, I would still love the sport, especially track and field. I’ve always loved sports in general, but am especially enthralled with track, from writing a book report about Wilma Rudolf at the age of 10 to watching Michael Johnson and Cathy Freeman complete inspiring feats of athleticism at the Olympics; I was an early super fan. Since my days of youth sports superfandom, the nature of competition has not changed, however the way our young athletes develop and engage with sports seems to have certainly changed quite a bit.
“Why Can’t Development Be a Word We Embrace?” - Alexi Pappas
One of the many reasons I started Running Peas initially was to fulfill my own need to find children's activewear that reflected youthful spirit and energy, rather than a miniature version of adult activewear, reflecting adult win-at-all-costs brand values. And as my own kids grew and dipped their toes in youth sports, I noticed this marked cultural shift in focus and priorities. Much like the trend of mini-adult activewear, youth sports had become increasingly adult-driven emphasizing performance over joy. From private coaching, expensive clubs, and packed schedules, to intense sidelines complete with crying kids, we’ve all observed the behaviors and perhaps been swept up in them! The fun and very much accessible sport experience of my youth has been replaced by specialization, structure, and stress. Our kids are working hard, and much harder than ever before. What used to be fun is now leading to early sport and activity burnout, with most of our little athletes exiting these activities all together by high school. Around 70% of youth athletes stop playing sports by the time they reach high school, and a significant portion of them cite burnout as one of the main reasons for quitting. Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Overuse Injuries, Overtraining, and Burnout in Young Athletes, January 22, 2024.
More Change is Coming..
Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken held a final approval hearing for a landmark $2.8 billion settlement in the House v. NCAA case. The settlement, scheduled to take effect July 1, represents a significant shift in college athletics, fundamentally altering how student-athletes are compensated for their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). NIL refers to the idea that athletes can make money from their personal brand. This includes earning money from their name, their image (photos or videos of them), and their likeness (how they look or are represented). For example, an athlete might sign a sponsorship deal, be featured in advertisements, or get paid for social media posts. The settlement, if approved, will provide significant backpay ($2.8 billion) to current and former student-athletes who participated in NCAA Division I sports over the last ten years. NCAA institutions will be able to use 22% of revenue budgets to directly compensate student-athletes for their NIL rights, as well as provide additional benefits to student athletes. Additionally the settlement places limits on team rosters instead of scholarships, potentially eliminating the ability for athletes to 'walk-on' to teams. And while the initial intention behind NIL was good, the implications of the settlement are far reaching with some NCAA Div 1 schools institutions reducing or eliminating athletic programs in an effort to meet new revenue demands.
Read more here:
Our Sports are Under Siege Part 2
Implications for Youth Sports
The focus on NIL compensation at the collegiate level could lead to a trickle-down effect, encouraging younger athletes to prioritize personal branding and monetization opportunities, over the more traditional values of youth sports. The emphasis on NIL earnings in college and high school might influence the aspirations of young athletes, shaping their perceptions of success and achievement in sports. Equitable opportunities to compete may be overly influenced by media and the allure of NIL-sponsored high school and youth athletes, encouraging young athletes to engage with social media and branding at an earlier, less healthy age. As institutions allocate significant resources to support NIL opportunities for student-athletes, there may be concerns about equitable distribution of funds, possibly impacting the availability of resources for youth sports programs. Overall, the expectations on youth athletes will grow; develop faster, quicker; be college ready by high school; be high shool ready by middle school, etc. Where does it end?
What You Can Do as a Parent of a Developing Athlete
1. Talk to your child’s coaches about prioritizing development over winning, show appreciation for their efforts!
2. Let the coach be the coach! Your child can only listen to so many voices from the sidelines. Focus on positive sideline commentary (Go team! Great pass! Good effort! Yay!!).
3. Be supportive; not every athletic activity needs a parental debrief. Most kids move on quickly. If they want to chat about it, they will come to you.
4. Keep an ear out for commentary, encourage positive interactions among teammates and friends.
5. Play the long game; seek supportive, positive teams where long term athletic development and healthy habits are prioritized over short term wins and gains.
6. Make it fun! Try different sports and activities with a friend. Invest in fun athletic apparel! :)
7. Model the behavior you want to see in your child's life. Our kids are watching us….every minute…..