Opinion: A new partnership in Colorado could increase access to youth sports

In communities across our state, youth sports have long been a pillar of growth, offering children a chance to learn vital life skills, build friendships and stay active. Kids who participate in sports have higher self-esteem, score better on standardized tests, are more likely to go to college and are less likely to smoke. The list of positives goes on.

Participating in sports is part of the American experience, and all young people should have a sporting chance to play. Yet for many, opportunities are dwindling. Budget-conscious school districts and localities are cutting programs, and private sports programs can cost families thousands of dollars a year.

This disparity is not just a matter of lost recreational opportunities. Youth are increasingly caught up in the digital world, spending significant time on screens rather than participating in physical activities or community events.

And evidence is growing of a profound mental health crisis among young people. From 2018 to 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that almost 40% of 12- to 17-year-olds reported “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.”

Participation in youth sports can play a key role in overall well-being. As a track and field athlete through my college years and, later, a coach, I know firsthand the benefits of playing sports: better physical fitness, increased self-confidence, improved social skills, grit, perseverance and more.

A wealth of evidence shows that regular physical exercise benefits kids in virtually every arena. For women, youth sports can be particularly formative. A 2013 survey of female corporate executives in Fortune 500 companies found that 94% had played sports. Just over half did so at the university level.

And the benefits of sports last well beyond adolescence. One study found a direct correlation between sports participation as a youth and greater self-esteem and happiness as an adult.

Professionally, former athletes do better economically, too. On average, they earn 7% more than non-athletes.

Despite these benefits, schools have gutted gym classes and sports programs, and fewer recreational opportunities exist. Club teams have proliferated, but they’re expensive. According to the Aspen Institute’s annual “State of Play” 2022 report, the average American family spends almost $900 annually per child to participate in organized sports. For families with annual incomes greater than $150,000, this figure was over $2,000. In total, Americans spend up to $40 billion a year on pay-to-play youth sports. These costs don’t include the time and resources needed to help young athletes get to practices and competitions.

The result is a stark socioeconomic gap in sports participation. Only 34% of kids from the poorest families played regular sports, compared to 67.7% from wealthier families.

Nevertheless, there’s reason for optimism. Communities are finding innovative solutions to increase sports participation among kids from every demographic.

In Colorado, organizations such as Chance Sports give scholarships to promising young athletes who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate in club sports. This September, the Daniels Fund will join other sponsors in the inaugural Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day, encouraging the whole community to give to increase sports access, and local partners are generously matching $1 million in donations made from September 4 through September 30, on a first-come, first-served basis. Youth Sports Giving Day will give every community member a direct way to make a difference in youth sports by providing support to local teams.

Donations made during the month-long Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day campaign need to be made through the Colorado Gives Platform at www.youthsportsgivingday.org and will go directly to the participating nonprofit organizations. Youth sports organizations interested in participating can learn how to sign up at youthsportsgivingday.org.

Youth sports may not immediately come to mind when addressing the pressing challenges facing America’s young people, but their benefits and widespread appeal make them essential in shaping the next generation. Investing in youth sports provides opportunities, fosters development and contributes to a more promising future for our democracy. By prioritizing sports, we can offer a powerful tool for tackling issues plaguing young people. Let’s champion youth sports as a vital pathway to a brighter future, ensuring our children stay active and thrive both on and off the field. I hope all Coloradans will pitch in to support youth sports and learn more about Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day.

Hanna Skandera is president and CEO of the Daniels Fund (danielsfund.org). Joining the organization’s board in 2019 and taking the helm in 2021, Hanna has demonstrated a strong commitment to impact and positively influencing American life. Hanna is nationally recognized for her bold leadership, entrepreneurial vision and focus on outcomes. She previously served as Secretary of Education in New Mexico, Undersecretary in California and Deputy Commissioner in Florida, as well as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education.

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