Home » Inclusion » Youth » Parents » Active Parent Education Kit » Preventing teen drop out

Preventing teen drop out

Active Parent Education Kit Fact Sheet 4

Related topics: None

Preventing teen drop outThe number of young people leaving sport as teenagers – especially girls, and particularly after completing school – is a concern.

Why do young people play sport?1

  • Have fun with their friends.
  • For excitement and enjoyment.
  • Experience challenge, achievement, and personal responsibility.
  • Use and improve their skills.

 

Why do teens drop out?2

  • Time clash with other activities e.g. study, social or work commitments.
  • The sport becomes boring.
  • Over emphasis on winning by coaches or parents.
  • Transport difficulties including costs.
  • Teen experiences or witnesses bias or discrimination.
  • Cost – membership fees and equipment can be expensive, especially for single income families.
  • Don’t get enough playing time.
  • Cannot play with their friends because team selections and gradings may separate them.
  • There is sometimes high praise for top performers but little acknowledgement and support for others.
  • The coach is overly authoritarian and can push players too much, which can have a negative effect.
  • Poor self-image (e.g. when wearing sporting uniforms or swimming costumes).
  • Self conscious about participating in physical activity in front of the opposite sex.
  • Peer pressure.
  • Emphasis from peers on achieving or winning over participating for enjoyment and having fun with friends.
  • Lack of knowledge of possible future sporting pathways and opportunities outside of school.

 

How to motivate teens to participate in sport1

  • Strategies for ongoing participation
    • Help your teen to balance the demands on their time to allow time for sport.
    • Encourage your teen to take on roles in administration, coaching, officiating etc.
  • Strategies for motivations
    • Encourage your teen to get involved in social opportunities such as mixed competitions.
    • Encourage your teen to get involved in organising competitions and social activities.
    • Give your teen a chance to contribute to decision making in their sporting activities.
    • Encourage involvement by pointing out good role models.
    • Discuss with your teen what activities they would enjoy. If joining the local sporting club is not what they’re interested in, suggest alternative options that may appeal to the age group, such as hip-hop classes.
    • Provide videos, DVDs or even Wii Fit which teach activities such as dance, aerobics or kickboxing. These can be undertaken with friends, other family members or alone.
    • Be a role model. Look at the benefits of physical activity as a family.

Is your child interested in trying a non-traditional sport?

 

Sources:

  1. Department of Sport and Recreation WA. (n.d.). Junior Sports Framework Long Term Involvement. Retrieved on the 13/11/09, from http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/assets/files/Clubhouse/19_Long_Term_Involvement.pdf
  2. Department of Sport and Recreation WA. (n.d.). Youth Sports Good Practice Guide. Retrieved on the 13/11/09, from
    http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/assets/files/Clubhouse/18_Youth_Sport.pdf
 
Other related pages Where would you like to go next?