Sports Business Journal recently reported that basketball was again the country’s most popular major participatory sport, according to its analysis of the 2022 State of the Industry Report.
“A total of 27.1 million people age 6+ played basketball at least once in 2021”
The 2022 State of the Industry Report, from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association and Sports Marketing Surveys USA, surveyed 18,000 respondents.
According to Sports Business Journal, the governing bodies of golf and tennis reported that more than three million people were playing those sports for the first time ever in 2021. In addition, the 22.6 million tennis participants represented “the sport’s highest rate ever.”
The National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA) recently unveiled online resources to “support agencies in increasing engagement with youth sports offerings.”
“Park and rec youth sports give kids a welcoming place to have fun — the #1 reason kids say they play sports in the first place.”
The NRPA’s resources include:
- An interactive website that demonstrates the benefits of park and recreation youth sports;
- A downloadable conversation guide for families to connect with their child about which sports they might like to play; and
- Sample messaging so park and recreation professionals like many PLAY Sports Coalition members can easily share the new content with parents and caregivers in their communities.
#Unite2PLAY
#ParkAndRecSports
Renata Simril, president & CEO of the LA 84 Foundation and PLAY Sports Coalition board member, wrote a guest column on EdSource, a source of education information, research and analysis.
“Our children need all of us to speak up for greater access and opportunities for school-based and community sports because the road to rebuilding this generation’s emotional and social well-being begins on your local field and playground.”
Visit EdSource to read Renata’s perspective and share it across your network.
