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The Compelling Relationship between Youth Sports and Success as an Adult

Success, however we define it, is something we all want for our kids. We encourage our kids to participate in sports for lots of reasons, but one of those reasons is because we see a relationship between youth sports and how it helps our kids’ social, psychological, and physical development. But does participation in youth sports really relate to success? Or is it just some nostalgic feeling we have based on our own past experiences?

Over the past decade or so, some significant studies have been performed that provide good, reliable data on that relationship. As expected, there IS a relationship between participation in youth sports and success as an adult, and although the relationship isn’t absolute, the correlation is compelling. Here are some examples:

A study from AthleteAssessments.com found:

  • 95% of Fortune 500 executives participated in high school athletics.
  • 96% of dropouts in 14 school districts in seven regions of the nation were not participating in an athletic program.

A 2018 Whitehouse Study concludes:

“A growing literature evaluates the impact of various childhood interventions on children’s long-term outcomes. Examples include early education programs, increased access to safety net programs, and moves from public housing to higher opportunity neighborhoods (Heckman et al. 2010; Hoynes and Schanzenbach 2018; Chetty et al. 2016). These interventions, in some cases, are shown to improve the long-term health and economic and social wellbeing of children upon reaching adulthood.”

This study from Cornell University shows a correlation between youth sports and career success concluding:

  • “Past participation in competitive team sports marks you as a winner in the competition for better jobs.”

Indeed, there are still a bevy of challenges in youth sports, but too often we only hear about the challenges. As real as those challenges may be, the benefits youth sports provides our kids is significant.

Even better is that we get the opportunity to address those challenges and build something that helps them achieve their own success. And from what the data shows they probably will. We just need to build it right. Together. United.

street soccer

In our Street Soccer program, players have the opportunity to create their own teams, make their own calls, and unconsciously develop their technical and tactical awareness–all while expressing themselves with the ball at their feet. We believe players should be able to manage themselves and have the freedom to play, interact, problem-solve, innovate, and take ownership of their participation in the game. Teams are created the day of to promote diversity, and games are played without referees to reinforce positive conflict resolution techniques. Our I-Mentor coaches will supervise each field making sure that players and facilities are safe while maintaining a fun and challenging environment.

PSU’s Street Soccer is open to all 9U to 19U players. Our Old School Street Soccer is open to any parent, soccer coach, and their significant others. Bring the whole family!

Details

  • Fridays : April 15 through June 3
  • Time: 5:30-7:00 pm
  • Location: Pewaukee Sports Complex

Rules

  • Games are 7 minutes long
  • Sliding or going to ground is not allowed
  • There is no offsides, but all other soccer rules apply
  • There are no referees – players call their own fouls
  • Profanity of any kind is not allowed

Important Information

  • Cleats, shin guards, socks (covering the shin guards) are required
  • Teams may be adjusted by PSU team members multiple times during each session, including during games
  • PSU reserves the right to disallow the participation of players in the program for any reason
  • Signed waiver is required
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