Despite recent studies ranking Arizona near the bottom in youth sports participation, community coaches and leaders are working to change the narrative and boost involvement in various sports programs across the state.
Key Points:
- 2023 Aspen Institute study: Arizona ranks 42nd (42.6%) in youth sports participation
- National decline in Hispanic youth participation: 7.9% drop from 2017-2022
- Local sports showing growth: ice hockey, flag football, and tackle football
Challenges Facing Youth Sports:
- COVID-19 impact on physical activity and social connections
- Increased use of video games and mobile devices
- Rising obesity rates and feelings of isolation among youth
Benefits of Youth Sports:
- Physical health: American Heart Association recommends 60 minutes of daily activity for ages 6-17
- Mental health: Sports can help combat mental illness, which often begins by age 14
- Social connections and emotional control
Growing Sports Programs in Arizona:
- Ice Hockey: Jr. Coyotes program at capacity with 18 competitive and 32 house-level teams
- Flag Football: Recently added as an official varsity sport by the Arizona Interscholastic Association
- Tackle Football: Phoenix Dragons organization expanded from one team in 2016 to multiple age groups
Community Efforts:
- Coaches like Jesus Arzaga running youth camps for baseball and flag football
- Kristin Dixon’s Phoenix Dragons program partnering with Camelback High School
Expert Opinion: Former MLB pitcher Dallas Braden emphasizes the importance of community sports programs and volunteer involvement to combat declining participation rates.
via: Cronkite News
