In a recent report, it was revealed that overall participation in sports among children and teenagers has seen an uptick, despite a noted decline among boys. The Aspen Institute conducted the study, highlighting a significant rise in girls’ sports participation, reaching its highest levels since 2012. This increase has been notably influenced by the remarkable success of Caitlin Clark, a star player for the Indiana Fever who previously played for the University of Iowa, inspiring many young girls to take up basketball.

According to data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, run by the U.S. Census Bureau, 53.8% of youth aged 6-17 were engaged in sports as of 2022. In tandem, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) reported a 6% rise in youth participating regularly in team sports in 2023, marking the highest level of participation (39.8%) since 2015. However, the SFIA’s findings also indicated that only 41% of boys were participating in sports on a regular basis in 2023, a decline from a decade earlier when the figure stood at 50%. The data from government sources supports this trend, indicating a gradual decrease in boys’ participation over the last ten years, although the decline has not been as pronounced.

For girls, the situation appears more optimistic, with 34% of girls aged 6-12 and 38% of those aged 13-17 participating in sports in 2023. These figures represent the highest participation rates seen in recent years, dating back to at least 2012. Tom Cove, a senior advisor to SFIA and former president and CEO, expressed his bewilderment at the shift, noting the significant transformation in youth sports dynamics. He speculated that as competition for spots on teams has intensified, fewer boys are making the cut and consequently, many choose to withdraw from sports altogether. He contrasted this with girls, who face fewer cuts and often maintain their participation rates.

Additionally, the report highlighted changes in participation demographics among racial groups. There has been a decline in sports involvement among Black children, with 35% of those aged 6-17 regularly participating in sports in 2023, down from 45% in 2013. In contrast, Hispanic children’s participation rates are on the rise. The study noted that since 2013, Black youth participated in sports at a higher rate than their white counterparts; however, current data indicates that white, Hispanic, and Asian American children are now engaging in sports more frequently than Black youth.

The increase in girls’ participation has been partially attributed to Caitlin Clark’s influence and performance on the basketball court, with the study suggesting that her exceptional skills might inspire a new generation of female players. Her ability to shoot from long distances has been compared to how NBA star Stephen Curry transformed the men’s game over a decade ago, indicating her significant impact on the women’s sport landscape.