Soccer’s participation rate is now closer to that of tennis

[Unregistered]

We are doing this wrong!

From the new Aspen Institute report:

Soccer participation continues to decline. While the
two most popular sports for kids ages 6 to 12 either
grew participation in 2018 (baseball) or only slightly
decreased (basketball), the number of kids in that age
bracket that played soccer dropped by 3%. It’s even
worse for soccer when taking the long view. The sport
lost 474,000 kids ages 6 to 12 in five years. More kids have
stopped playing soccer than the combined number of
newcomers and returning players to the sport. In a change
from a decade ago, soccer’s participation rate is now closer
to that of tennis, the fourth-most-played team sport, than it
is to baseball’s and basketball’s.

https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publi...-developments/

[Unregistered]

Given all the upheaval (leagues, age change) high costs, travel and early specialization none of it is surprising. Adults are sucking all the fun out of it.

[Unregistered]

We are doing this wrong!

From the new Aspen Institute report:

Soccer participation continues to decline. While the
two most popular sports for kids ages 6 to 12 either
grew participation in 2018 (baseball) or only slightly
decreased (basketball), the number of kids in that age
bracket that played soccer dropped by 3%. It’s even
worse for soccer when taking the long view. The sport
lost 474,000 kids ages 6 to 12 in five years. More kids have
stopped playing soccer than the combined number of
newcomers and returning players to the sport. In a change
from a decade ago, soccer’s participation rate is now closer
to that of tennis, the fourth-most-played team sport, than it
is to baseball’s and basketball’s.

https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publi...-developments/

This is just the opposite of what was just reported for the high school participation. Is there any real news out there these days.

[Unregistered]

This is just the opposite of what was just reported for the high school participation. Is there any real news out there these days.

Different age groups in both reports

[Unregistered]

We are doing this wrong!

From the new Aspen Institute report:

Soccer participation continues to decline. While the
two most popular sports for kids ages 6 to 12 either
grew participation in 2018 (baseball) or only slightly
decreased (basketball), the number of kids in that age
bracket that played soccer dropped by 3%. It’s even
worse for soccer when taking the long view. The sport
lost 474,000 kids ages 6 to 12 in five years. More kids have
stopped playing soccer than the combined number of
newcomers and returning players to the sport. In a change
from a decade ago, soccer’s participation rate is now closer
to that of tennis, the fourth-most-played team sport, than it
is to baseball’s and basketball’s.

https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publi...-developments/

I predicted this when the age group changes kicked in. Looks like I was right.

[Unregistered]

We are doing this wrong!

From the new Aspen Institute report:

Soccer participation continues to decline. While the
two most popular sports for kids ages 6 to 12 either
grew participation in 2018 (baseball) or only slightly
decreased (basketball), the number of kids in that age
bracket that played soccer dropped by 3%. It’s even
worse for soccer when taking the long view. The sport
lost 474,000 kids ages 6 to 12 in five years. More kids have
stopped playing soccer than the combined number of
newcomers and returning players to the sport. In a change
from a decade ago, soccer’s participation rate is now closer
to that of tennis, the fourth-most-played team sport, than it
is to baseball’s and basketball’s.

https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publi...-developments/

Soccer has become a sport that only the privileged, upper middle class, and suburban sport (specially for girls). Just look at the most high school and college team rosters. The folks who have for profit Premier and Academy programs are to blame because they care primarily about $$$,which eventually exclude minorities and not so privileged kids.

[Unregistered]

Soccer has become a sport that only the privileged, upper middle class, and suburban sport (specially for girls). Just look at the most high school and college team rosters. The folks who have for profit Premier and Academy programs are to blame because they care primarily about $$$,which eventually exclude minorities and not so privileged kids.

I have often gotten the feeling that the "tryout process" included a credit check to see how much they could fleece me for. When kids show up who have no business playing at a high level (ecnl) it really makes you scratch your head.

[Unregistered]

Some of the early growth came from kids getting pushed into soccer by parents that thought their Little Mia or Little Landon would be the next best thing and would get a big scholarship to play in school. Word has traveled that the scholarships aren't easy to get and for many that get them, they get into college and see that it isn't all that it's cracked up to be and it is not nearly as glamorous as they thought it would be. For many, it just isn't fun anymore.

If kids are playing with the hope of getting school $, they're playing for the wrong reason. Unfortunately, that's the reason that so many play. Kids have to enjoy what they're doing and so many don't.

[Unregistered]

I predicted this when the age group changes kicked in. Looks like I was right.

Wow you must be really smart, and fun to be around at parties, soccer games, work, etc. Always having to proclaim how right you are about everything I’m sure.

[Unregistered]

Wow you must be really smart, and fun to be around at parties, soccer games, work, etc. Always having to proclaim how right you are about everything I’m sure.

I'm not right about everything, but I was right about this. It was the final nail in the coffin for inexpensive town teams and without town teams, the overall numbers are going to go down significantly.

[Unregistered]

Some of the early growth came from kids getting pushed into soccer by parents that thought their Little Mia or Little Landon would be the next best thing and would get a big scholarship to play in school. Word has traveled that the scholarships aren't easy to get and for many that get them, they get into college and see that it isn't all that it's cracked up to be and it is not nearly as glamorous as they thought it would be. For many, it just isn't fun anymore.

If kids are playing with the hope of getting school $, they're playing for the wrong reason. Unfortunately, that's the reason that so many play. Kids have to enjoy what they're doing and so many don't.

After u10/11, kids are forced to specialize in soccer to keep up with the Jones's, and the seasons run almost year-round. The fees are very high - over $3k per year plus pointless travel. There are limited spots on the "elite" top club teams that have formed a monopoly (ECNL/DA). If you don't make the top club team by u13 you are deemed to be a failure by your parents - and you lose interest in the sport.

[Unregistered]

After u10/11, kids are forced to specialize in soccer to keep up with the Jones's, and the seasons run almost year-round. The fees are very high - over $3k per year plus pointless travel. There are limited spots on the "elite" top club teams that have formed a monopoly (ECNL/DA). If you don't make the top club team by u13 you are deemed to be a failure by your parents - and you lose interest in the sport.

yep this is teh truth. In the end we would all be better off if this went back to just a fall school season and then spring for the kids who really want to play more. Academies for potential professional players and thats it. College soccer is not very pretty so it isnt as if getting all these year round academy kids is helping that game progress so aside from making money for the clubs what is the point?

[Unregistered]

Soccer’s participation rate is now closer to that of tennis

Some of the early growth came from kids getting pushed into soccer by parents that thought their Little Mia or Little Landon would be the next best thing and would get a big scholarship to play in school. Word has traveled that the scholarships aren't easy to get and for many that get them, they get into college and see that it isn't all that it's cracked up to be and it is not nearly as glamorous as they thought it would be. For many, it just isn't fun anymore.

If kids are playing with the hope of getting school $, they're playing for the wrong reason. Unfortunately, that's the reason that so many play. Kids have to enjoy what they're doing and so many don't.

US soccer should put a limit on “premier” clubs in regions. You could decide the number of clubs by population. This would make those teams better since try outs would now mean something. Kids who still wanted to play could join town travel teams.

[Unregistered]

I'm not right about everything, but I was right about this. It was the final nail in the coffin for inexpensive town teams and without town teams, the overall numbers are going to go down significantly.

The age group change was brain-dead stupid, and in the end what did it even get US Soccer

[Unregistered]

US soccer should put a limit on “premier” clubs in regions. You could decide the number of clubs by population. This would make those teams better since try outs would now mean something. Kids who still wanted to play could join town travel teams.

so you are in favor of Govt (USS)regulation on who is allowed to make the cash? as opposed to letting the free market dictate success
and why shouldnt high level players expect ROI- they have done the work and are obviously very skilled athletes- the truth is only 2% of HS soccer players will play at the next level- so look around,you should be able to figure it out