The Center For
Kids FIRST in Sports conducts research to determine how young
children think about all aspects of their participation in
organized youth sports. We will administer our Kids FIRST
In Sports Survey to 15,000 students nationwide in grades K-12.
Since the last studies to
determine the attitudes of kids on youth sports were conducted
more than a decade ago, we believe there is a need for more
current empirical data. Using our comprehensive survey instrument
we will conduct a nation-wide survey of 10,000 kids ages 8-18,
on what they think about the issues and problems in organized
youth sports.
We will conduct our survey on-line and
directly through schools beginning in the 2002-2003 school
year. At the same time, will be conduct “on-camera”
Town Hall Meetings in five regions of the United States. In
order to do this, we are pursuing a partnership with a major
sponsor.
The primary purpose of our research is
to provide empirical data that will influence parental decision
making and choices with regard to sports and physical activity
for their children.
We also hope to influence public policy
that will impact the role of sports and physical activity
within our public schools so that all students have the opportunity
to be physically active and learn from their participation
in sporting activities.
Our Student Town Hall Meetings are designed
to allow children in grades K-12 to tell us what they think
about all aspects of youth sports. We professionally videotape
each Student Town Hall Meeting in an attempt to reach and
move the hearts and minds of adults in ways that statistics
cannot.
It is our belief that we should be listening
to what the children are telling us and we must involve them
directly in changing and improving the culture of youth sports.
Alarming Signals
70% of 40 million kids ages 7-18 quit
youth sports by age 15
Less than 10% of coaches have received
any training at all
13-15% of children ages 6-19 –
9 million - are overweight or obese
64% of American adults are overweight
or obese
Healthcare professionals are calling
it an epidemic and calling for immediate actions before
the health care system is overrun.
The answer to both problems: the inactivity
of kids who stop playing and exercising, and the related
health crisis lies in prevention.
