ASICS study explores why youth are quitting team sport

According to new research released today from sports performance brand, ASICS, youth are quitting team sport in droves. - despite the obvious uplifting mental benefits.

The research, commissioned by the sportswear brand, surveyed a nationally representative population size in a bid to uncover the main benefits Australians experienced when playing team sports as youth, how these activities impacted them into adulthood, and if their experiences influenced which team sports they believed were favoured most by our nation.

Beyond the obvious health paybacks, being part of a community (19%) and connecting with others (22%) were identified as two of the key benefits of signing up to seasonal sporting teams. Yet despite 79% of respondents admitting that team sports helped them or others make new and long-lasting connections when they were young, close to one in two admitted to dropping out of their favourite sport during their teens (45%). 

The main reasons participants cited for ceasing to be involved in their beloved Saturday sporting activity were; to focus on schoolwork (35%) and feeling that they are not ‘good enough’ due to their lower level of ability (18%).

When it came to ‘throwing in the towel’, Gen Z revealed themselves to be the most insecure, lacking the confidence in their own skills to continue playing their favourite sport (54%).

Analysing the findings further, the statistics also showed a strong gender divide with men being twice as likely to continue playing into adulthood compared to women (41% verses 19%).

ASICS Ambassador and Psychologist Meg McClurg comments on this gap noting “this statistic is quite striking and may indicate insecurities young women often feel at this age and/or social pressures and expectations of young women, overlooking the benefits that come with playing sport beyond their teenage years.

“Demonstrating to young women that team sports are a valuable outlet for stress relief, can help to build confidence, and promote a sense of community with like-minded people, subsequently helping lessen this divide.”

The data also mirrors this sentiment, with those who played sports into adulthood highlighting several gains over and above improving fitness (19%), including being able to socialise while exercising (22%), and feeling part of a community (19%).

One in two (56%) also recognised that the confidence they built while playing sport translated across other areas of their lives, while two in three (61%) ranked resilience in their top three skills learned.

McClurg adds “the research certainly backs the notion that playing team sports offers young people a great opportunity to develop these vital skills key to personal growth in those formative years and beyond.”

To further understand the Australian sporting psyche, and how children’s sports may influence their perceptions later in life, the research asked which team sports participants believed were most celebrated by Australians.  Interestingly, respondents ranked what are often considered male-dominated sports such as Aussie rules, cricket and rugby league as their top picks.

On the flipside, while the findings showed that netball was the number one team sport played by females, it was viewed to be the least celebrated, with almost half (40%) of Australians ranking the sport as the one receiving the least amount of recognition compared to basketball (33%), soccer (10%), rugby league (7%), and Aussie rules (4%).

Of the findings, ASICS Oceania Managing Director, Mark Brunton advised “the findings highlight the importance of keeping kids in sports beyond the physical or competitive aspects. Feeling happier, healthier and more confident as a person, which team sports can encourage from a young age, can bode well into adulthood, particularly for younger generations who may be more susceptible to feelings of insecurity due to digitally prevalent ideals. At the heart of ASICS’ founding philosophy is an unrelenting belief in the power of sport and movement to uplift the mind. It’s why we’re called ASICS - Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning A Sound Mind In A Sound Body.  ASICS are on a mission to uplift minds everywhere, regardless of age or gender.”

To support up and coming young players, particularly in the netball space, and to launch the NETBURNER BALLISTIC™ FF 3 shoe ahead of the new season, ASICS have set out to host the world’s first ASICS Netball Festival Celebrating Confidence supported by NETFIT. The free festival will incorporate workshops held by NETFIT encouraging kids to focus on building confidence and friendship rather than grappling with the pressure to perform, and harbouring fears of making on-court mistakes.

McClurg provides her three top tips for parents and coaches alike to help build confidence in children through sport:

1. Praise effort and specific skills
As children approach their teenage years they become increasingly aware of comparisons with peers, so it’s crucial to shift their focus inward. Highlight specific actions they did well, like “Your hustle for that rebound was impressive!”, or “You were really focused when marking your player today”. This encourages them to recognise their own growth and effort, building self-confidence regardless of the game’s outcome.   

2. Create a positive team culture
Adolescents thrive in environments where they feel accepted. Encourage team-building activities, emphasise respect amongst teammates, and guide children in giving and receiving constructive feedback. A nice tradition to implement is after a game, ask each team member to share something positive about their own performance and a teammate's effort. This helps them see themselves as valuable contributors and reinforces a supportive atmosphere.

3. Guide them in setting and reflecting on goals
Help youth set short-term, attainable goals that align with their development and are related to process and performance rather than outcome. For example, a football player might aim to ‘make three accurate passes’ or ‘improve my corner kicks this week’. At the end of practice or a game, take a moment to reflect with them: “How do you feel about your passes today? What worked well, and what’s one thing you’d like to practice more?”. This process helps them build self-awareness and see progress, boosting their confidence.

Independent research agency, Antenna, conducted research on behalf of ASICS Oceania via an online Antenna Poll survey of 1,016 Australians. The survey was conducted between 4th to 9th December 2024. The survey data collection was national, and respondents were sourced using an accredited online research access panel. Data was weighted for representation against the 2021 ABS census.