Youth Sports Trends in 2024: What They Mean for Volleyball Programs

Here’s the game-changer in youth sports:

The latest "State of Play 2024" report is loaded with insights into youth sports participation trends across the United States. The big question? How can volleyball programs use these insights to adapt and grow in today’s changing sports landscape?

Let’s dive in👇

Key Participation Trends to Watch

The report highlights some significant shifts in how young athletes engage with sports. Here’s what stands out:

• Team Sports Are Bouncing Back
  Team sports participation among youth in 2023 has reached its highest since 2015, a positive signal for volleyball programs nationwide. This recovery shows a renewed interest in organized sports as young people return to team environments post-pandemic.

• A Surge in Girls' Participation
  Girls' participation in youth sports hit record levels in 2023, with 34% of girls aged 6-12 and 38% of those aged 13-17 regularly engaged in sports. This spike represents the highest involvement for girls in over a decade and creates a golden opportunity for volleyball, a sport that is already popular with young female athletes.

• Declining Participation Among Boys
  In contrast, sports participation among boys has been declining. For boys aged 6-17, participation has dropped from 50% in 2013 to 41% in 2023. Volleyball programs may need to rethink how to attract boys, possibly by creating programs focusing on athletic skill-building, competitive play, or mixed-gender formats that broaden volleyball's appeal.

• Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Participation
  Sports participation among Black youth dropped from 45% in 2013 to 35% in 2023, while Hispanic youth participation increased to its highest level since 2016. This calls for volleyball programs to prioritize inclusivity and reach out to underrepresented communities to create welcoming spaces for all players.

• Early Sport Specialization
  The trend of children focusing on one sport at an early age continues to rise, with young athletes averaging 1.63 per child in 2023, compared to over two sports a decade ago. For volleyball programs, this means offering general and specialized skill training paths to support athletes who want to focus on volleyball from a young age.

How Volleyball Programs Can Thrive Amidst These Trends

1. Design Programs that Attract Girls
   With girls’ participation rates at an all-time high, volleyball programs have a unique opportunity to build on this momentum. Offer clinics, all-girls teams, and events that cater to young girls, and consider mentorship programs featuring female volleyball players to inspire the next generation.

2. Encourage Inclusive and Accessible Volleyball
   With participation disparities among Black and Hispanic youth, volleyball programs should take steps to ensure accessibility. This can include outreach efforts in diverse communities, offering flexible registration options, and providing scholarships or community-based programs that reduce entry barriers.

3. Create Engagement for Boys through Diverse Programs
   Volleyball programs can explore ways to make the sport more appealing to boys by promoting its competitive and athletic components. Organizing mixed-gender teams, co-ed tournaments, or specialized skills clinics focused on power, agility, and teamwork can open volleyball to a broader audience.

4. Flexible Specialization Options
   Volleyball programs should consider offering both introductory and advanced training to accommodate varying levels of commitment. Specialized clinics, private lessons, and development leagues can give young athletes the flexibility to grow with the sport, whether they are beginners or dedicated volleyball players.

Leveraging These Insights for Volleyball Program Growth

Volleyball program managers and owners can use these participation trends as a roadmap to enhance outreach, inclusivity, and the appeal of their programs. Building pathways that resonate with young athletes' current interests will create growth, attract new players, and ensure volleyball’s place in the youth sports landscape.

What’s Next?

The “State of Play 2024” report makes one clear: Youth sports are evolving, and volleyball programs responsive to these trends will be better positioned to succeed. Aligning with these participation trends will help volleyball programs capture the enthusiasm of young athletes, expand reach in diverse communities, and foster a supportive environment for all players.

The key takeaways?

• Grow Female Participation: Build fun, inclusive, and empowering programs for young girls.

• Foster Inclusive Programs: Reach out to underserved communities with accessible programming options.

• Adapt to Early Specialization: Offer general and advanced training paths to attract focused athletes.

By making these shifts, volleyball programs can participate in this youth sports resurgence and continue to thrive.