Play Sports, Do Better in School

Team-Up for Youth believes that every child should have the opportunity to experience the learning and personal growth that comes with participating in youth sports. Now, a new Team-Up study confirms that sports programs improve educational outcomes for young people.

At a time when budgets for sports and other educational programs are getting cut, the Team-Up report, Learning to Play and Playing to Learn, is a reminder that these types of cuts forfeit more than field time for our youth. When students participate in youth sports, Team-Up shows, they get better grades, are more likely to complete their homework, and are more likely to attend college and land good-paying jobs.

Launched with a $5 million grant from the Haas, Jr. Fund, Team-Up has provided thousands of low-income children with the opportunity to take part in high-quality, after-school sports programs, while increasing sports opportunities for girls and other underserved youth. Team-Up’s new report will help the organization and its partners as they continue to make the case for organized sports for all children – not just those whose families can afford them.