Matthew Bambrick is the CEO and Founder of Southern California Youth Sports Solutions. He is redefining youth sports by prioritizing child development through play, growth, and professional coaching. His mission is to create accessible, engaging and impactful sports environments for all children.
Across the U.S., according to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, nearly 70% of kids quit organized sports by age 13. That statistic paints a troubling picture, not just for parents, but as a personal catalyst. Our kids are on the verge of a crisis.
The silent epidemic in youth sports
It's not that every child must play sports; athletic environments won't suit everyone. But for those who do love sports and still walk away, they lose a crucial opportunity to develop the soft skills we all value: resilience, collaboration, and leadership, the very traits that help build stronger communities and a more connected society.
Youth sports have always been seen as a safe space for young people to learn life lessons in a setting where mistakes are learning moments and positive outcomes last a lifetime. Yet, many children are stepping away early, citing reasons like “it’s no longer fun” or “too much pressure,” as reported by the National Alliance for Youth Sports and quoted in The Washington Post.
The dropout trend unfolds alongside a wider health crisis, with the World Health Organization estimating that 80% of adolescents globally are not active enough. This isn't just a sports issue; it's a health and wellbeing emergency.
Why are kids walking away?
1. Too much pressure too soon
Children are being pushed into competitive environments long before they are ready. Early specialization, professionalization, constant rankings, and “elite” travel teams create anxiety instead of excitement.
2. It's simply not fun anymore
Kids thrive when sports are about creativity and connection. Over-structuring, over-coaching, and adult-driven expectations are taking a toll. Too many soccer, baseball, and basketball teams roll into the weekend decked out in top athletic brands, looking like mini-professionals, and are treated as such. The innocence, fun, and joy have been sucked out of playing.
3. The cost barrier
Pay-to-play models mean families are often spending $1,200–$6,000+ per year on youth sports, pricing out many kids from lower-income backgrounds.
The solution: Reimagining youth sports
Winning kids through fun and engagement
The simplest way to keep kids in sports is also the most overlooked: make it engaging and fun. When children are immersed, making constant decisions, moving freely, and connecting with their peers, they thrive. That’s the philosophy behind programs I have developed, like our Nanosoccer classes and leagues. Our ultra-small-sided-games formats (1v1–3v3) not only give the kids more touches, but more ownership and more meaningful experiences.
In a study of a little under 1,200 children, the correlation between enjoyment and engagement is clear. The findings confirmed that higher levels of engagement are positively associated with high-quality athletic experiences and motivation, while inversely related to burnout.
Engagement is not just a buzzword; it's the engine of enjoyment, skill-building, and long-term participation. Without it, even the most talented players will eventually walk away.
More than one sport: The case for multi-sports play
One of the most damaging trends in youth sports today is early specialization, kids as young as 7 or 8 being asked to commit to one sport year-round. This isn't just unnecessary; it's harmful. A publication in Sports Health found that specialized youth athletes are more susceptible to injuries compared to those who participate in multiple sports. Additionally, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine notes that early specialization can restrict overall motor development and increase the risk of severe injuries over an athlete’s career.
In my work, I've seen kids that play multiple sports develop broader athletic intelligence, stay fresher mentally, and avoid the fatigue that comes from doing the same thing day in, day out. They learn how to adapt, solve problems in different contexts with different voices, and stay excited by being active. Ireland's rugby success offers a compelling example. Rob Kearney, a distinguished Irish rugby player, played Gaelic football for Louth before focusing on rugby. This diverse athletic foundation contributed to his adaptability and success on the rugby field.
Engagement thrives on variety, and when kids are exposed to different challenges and environments, they grow faster and enjoy more of the process. For parents and coaches, the goal shouldn't be to find a child's “best” sport by 9; it should be to help them build a lifelong relationship with movement, challenge, and play.
Redefine success beyond trophies
Adolescents who play sports are eight times more likely to stay active by age 24, according to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition. This matters far beyond individual well-being; physical inactivity is linked to rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The CDC estimates that inactivity costs the U.S. $117 billion annually in healthcare. Encouraging sports participation isn’t just about creating better athletes; it’s about reducing the societal and financial toll of preventable chronic illnesses.
Success isn't measured by medals or college scholarships. True success is raising young people who embody teamwork, leadership, and resilience, skills that last far beyond the playing field. The real winner is a child who wants to stay active for life, whether they go on to play at a competitive level or simply remain confident and healthy into adulthood.
The shift starts with us
Keeping kids in sports, and keeping them loving it, comes down to how we, as adults, design the environment. When we prioritize engagement, encourage variety, and measure success by development instead of medals, we create a system that works for more kids, for longer.
Youth sports should be a space where children grow, not just as athletes, but as people. It’s about giving them the tools to stay active, healthy, and confident for life. Whether they go on to play competitively or simply enjoy sports recreationally, the goal is the same: help them build a positive relationship with movement and teamwork that lasts far beyond childhood.
If we get this right, we’re not just creating better athletes; we’re shaping stronger, healthier communities.
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Matthew Bambrick, CEO and Founder
Matthew Bambrick is a visionary leader in youth sports and the CEO & Founder of Southern California Youth Sports Solutions. Driven by a mission to give every child the chance to grow and thrive through sport, he is reshaping grassroots programs with a focus on development, joy, and professional coaching. Matthew is inspiring a new movement-one where all kids, regardless of background, have access to meaningful, unique, and life-changing sports experiences.
