STAY! Decreasing teenage dropout in sport
STAY! Decreasing teenage dropout in sport
Sport is More Than Just Physical Activity
Beyond its positive impact on physical and mental health, sport helps us develop new skills, learn about teamwork, and foster a sense of community. Despite these benefits, statistics reveal a concerning trend: up to 70% of teenagers aged 13 to 20 drop out of sports. The STAY! program was created as a response to this issue, with a clear mission – to help young people stay in sports and build a healthy and active lifestyle through it.
How does STAY! make a difference?
Reasons why young athletes drop out of sports:
- Academic pressure
- Lack of motivation or interest
- Injuries and physical strain
- Limited access to sports and financial barriers
- Negative experiences within sports clubs
STAY! is not just a research project – it is a movement that educates, connects, and empowers everyone involved in sports. In collaboration with coaches, sports organizations, and young athletes, we are developing concrete strategies to reduce dropout rates.
Strengthening coaches and clubs
Through the education of coaches and sports structures, STAY! ensures they are better prepared to work with young athletes – understanding their needs and providing support during critical moments when they consider quitting.
Policies that support young athletes
STAY! works with key institutions to develop policies that encourage long-term sports participation. This includes more flexible training approaches, improved financial models, and increased support for young athletes uncertain about continuing their sports careers.
Digital learning and support platform
We are developing an innovative online platform where athletes, coaches, and parents can find materials, advice, and tools to prevent dropout. This platform will be accessible to anyone interested in understanding how to keep young people engaged in sports in the long run.
Partnerships that shape the future of sport
Partnerships that shape the future of sport
STAY! is an international initiative bringing together partners from across Europe:
- HAŠK Mladost (Croatia)
- UNICAS (Italy)
- EMCA (Belgium)
- Fondazione S.S. Lazio 1900 (Italy)
- TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Germany)
- SC Levski Sport for All (Bulgaria)
- SUS (Slovenia)
The project started on December 1, 2022, and will continue until the end of May 2025.
We want to ensure that young athletes do not leave sports due to external obstacles or a lack of support. Our mission is to create better conditions for training, development, and enjoyment in sports. Together, we are developing a model for sustainable sports participation that can be applied across different systems and sports organizations throughout Europe.
