Why young athletes quit and how to keep them engaged
Can retention be easier than we thought? Prioritizing skill development in a fun and engaging environment will foster young athletes’ interest and a sense of ownership of their participation
Two of the most popular articles I published in this newsletter were about sport dropout: Why do youngsters quit? Despite extensive research employing diverse methodologies across various sports and involving athletes with varying abilities, studies consistently reveal that athletes leave because they don't enjoy the sport. The research, of course, offers more specifics and you can get into the weeds of several well known studies with this 2022 article. But no matter what the specific reasons are, the underlying principle remains the same: Athletes who don't enjoy their participation ultimately quit.
Research attempts to identify reasons for athlete dropout but often fails to suggest strategies for keeping youngsters involved. Here are some key points regarding retention and preventing dropout.
Everyone eventually drops out. At some point, all athletes eventually give up organized sport participation. The concern arises over when this happens. It poses a problem for clubs and national governing bodies (NGBs) if athletes leave sports prematurely. However, natural attrition, such as leaving after high school or college, is not a concern.
Dropout is a normal occurrence. Not all athletes will enjoy a particular sport, so it’s not unusual if they choose to leave. The youth sports smorgasbord is real, athletes have choices. If an athlete drops out of one sport, they may consider joining another. However, clubs and coaches should strive to create an environment that encourages new athletes to stay involved. Let them decide if they like your sport based on good information rather than a bad experience.
Investment increases retention. The more invested an athlete becomes in the activity, the less likely they are to drop out. This is why retaining new athletes is crucial for clubs and NGBs; once invested, athletes are less likely to abandon the sport.
Creating talent takes time, it's the most important factor in talent development. Effective retention rates will give coaches and clubs the time needed to develop athletes.
“Fun is an achievable challenge.” In youth sport this is the operational definition of fun. When practitioners talk about fun, this is what they mean.
Preventing dropout boils down to effective salesmanship. A young athlete’s initial encounter with a sport depends on the coach and club providing an experience that the youngster desires to repeat. The more frequently this positive experience occurs during the first year or so of participation, the lower the likelihood of the athlete dropping out. Gradually, the athlete develops skills that make the sport both engaging and challenging, building a personal stake in their continued participation and leading to increased investment.
Ability
Young athletes lack the necessary skills to fully participate in a sport when they first join, however, it’s crucial that they develop some level of proficiency quickly. If they observe their peers performing better than them or if their progress remains frustratingly slow, their enthusiasm for the activity will dwindle. While enjoyment may be more important initially, skill development remains the most significant factor in short-term retention. Without the ability to meaningfully participate, enjoyment will remain elusive.
Environment
The environment youngsters encounter in practices and competitions can help or hinder retention in the sport. Though practitioners frequently emphasize the importance of making the experience fun, they rarely provide specific strategies to achieve this, or even define what it means. When combined with skill development, creating a fun and engaging sport environment fosters athletes’ interest and a sense of ownership of their participation. There are numerous ways to have fun, but focusing it within the context of the sport will make it more meaningful.
Although factors affecting retention are more complex than what I have described here, creating an engaging and supportive environment centered on skill development can help clubs avoid premature dropout. Coaches play a crucial role in this process when they offer experiences young athletes will want to repeat, thus helping them develop a lasting passion for their sports, ensuring their continued involvement and growth as participants.