Preparation phase kicked off lest start with STAY!
On April 26, 2023, the kick-off meeting of the STAY! – Decreasing Teenage Dropout in Sport project was held, bringing together international partners to develop sustainable solutions for keeping young people engaged in sports. Running until May 2025, the project focuses on educating coaches, developing innovative tools, and creating policies that support long-term youth participation in sports.
Key Objectives of the STAY! Project
STAY! aims to address the main challenges that cause teenagers to drop out of sports, including academic pressures, lack of motivation, physical strain, financial barriers, and negative experiences within sports clubs. Through a multidisciplinary approach and collaboration with partners across Europe, the project will develop effective strategies to tackle these issues.
Project phases
The project is divided into two key phases:
Preparation phase (until May 2024)
During this phase, the project team is focused on developing content for the E-learning platform, including the formation of an expert group composed of sports and education professionals. Additionally, an initial version of the E-learning platform has been created, providing coaches, athletes, and parents with access to educational materials and tools to support young people in sports.
Implementation and evaluation phase (until May 2025)
This phase involves transferring most of the project activities to sports organizations including:
- participation in the E-learning program
- pilot implementation of engagement principles for teenage athletes through volunteering opportunities
- collecting feedback from partner organizations and local working groups
- updating the E-learning platform based on evaluation reports and pilot implementation examples
The STAY! project delivers solutions that will benefit sports organizations, coaches, parents, and young athletes in the long term. By developing digital tools, educational resources, and sustainable policies, we aim to create an environment where young people can grow, develop, and enjoy sports without the barriers that often lead to dropout.
