About project
STAY! Decreasing teenage dropout in sport
The STAY! project aims to combat the high dropout rates of teenagers aged 13-20 in organized sports, which currently sit at around 70%. Recognizing the challenges that modern youth face, including academic and social responsibilities, the project seeks to equip sports clubs and coaches with effective tools and strategies to encourage continued participation in physical activities. By collaborating with local policymakers, STAY! aims to create a supportive environment that not only reduces dropout rates but also fosters a culture of lifelong engagement in sports. Together, we can ensure that every young athlete has the opportunity to stay active and thrive.
0
%
of teenagers aged 13-20 drop out of organized sports, highlighting the urgent need for initiatives like STAY! to reduce dropout rates.
0
x
rate of girls drop out of sports that boys do by age 14
+ 0
%
more that half of girls will quit playing sports altogether by age 17
OUR GOALS
Girls' reasons for dropping out
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%
to prioritise academics or other extracurricular activities
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%
missing out on their social life
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%
thought they were not good enough
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%
didn't see a future for themselves in the sport
STAY! Approach – Main Steps
- Objective: Create an E-learning platform with relevant materials focused on sport dropout.
- Key Insight: Research shows that sport develops skills, connections, and experiences that are difficult to achieve in regular life, helping athletes build careers in areas like journalism or other fields they might be passionate about. It also generates important values such as teamwork, tolerance, and fair play, contributing to personal development and fulfilment.
- Objective: Educate coaches and club managers through the E-learning platform.
- Key Insight: The sport environment teaches respect, integration, and teamwork. Volunteering in sports organizations provides non-formal education and reinforces active citizenship. The project focuses on equipping coaches with tools to reduce dropout and engage teenagers in sports and volunteering.
- Objective: Engage teenagers in club activities, focusing on both sport and volunteering.
- Key Insight: Teenagers who engage in sport develop social skills, learn to respect rules, and become part of a group that celebrates diversity. Sport and volunteering help foster lifelong values and contribute to the health and success of the sport clubs.
- Objective: Create policy recommendations in collaboration with relevant policymakers.
- Key Insight: The dropout problem not only impacts teenagers’ health but also threatens the viability of sports clubs, as they lose critical members who are necessary to remain competitive. The project aims to provide actionable policy recommendations to address these challenges.
