Dropout is mostly studied on its own, as if it's a singular phenomenon, and NGBs don't really know what to do about it. Dropout is like flood water. Instead of trying to figure out how to keep them from rising, it's more useful to figure out why there are floods in the first place. That's why retention data is important.
Great paper Bill, really enjoy and appreciate your work.
Your articles have helped me, and continue to help, a lot with my son to make sense of quite what is going down with him from time to time and his sporting activities.
He's now 14.
Always been very drawn to sport, self driven and extremely competitive from a young age.
He is apparently a very late developer; so that is proving to be a significant factor.
Played Football, Field hockey, judo, cricket, tennis and swimming from age 4/5 and excelled in all, at a reasonably level.
Dropped swimming and tennis at about age 10, not gone back.
Dropped football at 11, now just recently gone back and enjoying himself.
Sampled rugby at 11 for 3 years.
Picked up Golf at 12, and loves it.
Core sports at the moment, seasonal...
Hockey... national level UK
Football... club
Judo... brown belt
Cricket... club
Golf... club
Very pleased with how it's working out.
No pushing or pressure from my side, no expectations; just encouragement and support as much as I can.
The gurus in sport development talk a lot about multi-sport participation for youngsters in order to build athleticism. Here in the U.S., opportunities to do this are dwindling and a lot depends on where you live and family circumstances, and, the big one, cost. Your son's background sounds like he is getting exactly what he needs to build athleticism, which will help him no matter what sport he eventually decides to devote full time to. IF he decided to do that.
Really nice article Bill, knowing when is critical, I totally agree.
Sports and clubs need to know if the player is a Leaver, Dropout or Transfer. It will greatly impact their chance of attracting them back one day.
The impacts of Location Game are fascinating, something I've experienced but I had no idea of this term.
Thanks for writing.
Dropout is mostly studied on its own, as if it's a singular phenomenon, and NGBs don't really know what to do about it. Dropout is like flood water. Instead of trying to figure out how to keep them from rising, it's more useful to figure out why there are floods in the first place. That's why retention data is important.
Great paper Bill, really enjoy and appreciate your work.
Your articles have helped me, and continue to help, a lot with my son to make sense of quite what is going down with him from time to time and his sporting activities.
He's now 14.
Always been very drawn to sport, self driven and extremely competitive from a young age.
He is apparently a very late developer; so that is proving to be a significant factor.
Played Football, Field hockey, judo, cricket, tennis and swimming from age 4/5 and excelled in all, at a reasonably level.
Dropped swimming and tennis at about age 10, not gone back.
Dropped football at 11, now just recently gone back and enjoying himself.
Sampled rugby at 11 for 3 years.
Picked up Golf at 12, and loves it.
Core sports at the moment, seasonal...
Hockey... national level UK
Football... club
Judo... brown belt
Cricket... club
Golf... club
Very pleased with how it's working out.
No pushing or pressure from my side, no expectations; just encouragement and support as much as I can.
The gurus in sport development talk a lot about multi-sport participation for youngsters in order to build athleticism. Here in the U.S., opportunities to do this are dwindling and a lot depends on where you live and family circumstances, and, the big one, cost. Your son's background sounds like he is getting exactly what he needs to build athleticism, which will help him no matter what sport he eventually decides to devote full time to. IF he decided to do that.