5 Simple Questions about BC and Canada Soccer.
(5 disturbing answers).
1. How well prepared is BC to produce future men's soccer players?
Statistics show a 3% decline in BC boys soccer.
In 2008, BC registered 57,570 players.
By 2010 the numbers reduced to 55,780.
Only 15% of boys in BC are registered as players.
These numbers alone tell us we are not doing very well.
2. How does BC compare to the rest of Canada?
BC is the 3rd largest soccer Province in Canada. Unfortunately the BC player base is still very low.
Ontario and Quebec have almost 5 times more boys registered in soccer.
While BC has experienced negative growth, Quebec has experienced respectable positive growth overall.
3. How about Canada as a soccer nation?
Things don't look so good for Canada.
Participation in Canada's soccer drops pretty fast as players get older.
Player registration is good in the early years, peaking at around age 10.
From there on, things start to get ugly as players drop out.
The 1st notable decline starts at only 12 years old.
Further declines are then seen at 15 years old.
By the time the boys are 18 years old, Canada will have lost 95% of their players.
So, Canada's male soccer player retention from 10 years old onward, is very poor.
4. Why do these declines occur?
The single biggest reason for kids quitting soccer is adult behavior.
By design, soccer matches have an emphasis on winning.
Inevitably there are issues of dissatisfaction with performance.
Typically this represents itself in the form of a post game analysis.
Adults equate success as winning.
The following USA based study bears relevance here in Canada.
NBC & USA Today reports,
37% of youth said .......... They wished that NO Parents would watch them play.
41% of youth said ............ They had trouble sleeping because they worried about an upcoming match.
71% of youth said ............ They would not care if NO SCORE were kept in their matches.
The amounts of stress put on our children to play well and win matches is massive.
The kids, they want only to earn their parents approval.
Simply put, adult behavior is a major cause of youth choosing to quit soccer.
5. Why do kids play soccer?
This has been said over and over and somehow we keep missing the concept.
So here it is again, for all those interested, be prepared.
The number 1 reason our youth play soccer is To Have Fun!
UCLA Sports Psychology once conducted a study that proved
over 65% of youth played sports to be with their friends.
Only 20% were interested in improving their skills.
After the match, kids want to know only 2 things.
When do we play again and Where is the snack!
No matter who you are, or how old you are ........
When you are enjoying time with friends and having fun,
Those are the best of times!
Life is a joy ......... and there are many good memories.
John McKay
Is a contributor and volunteer with Fast Foot Speed. A Futsal Club based in Vancouver British Columbia Canada.
(5 disturbing answers).
1. How well prepared is BC to produce future men's soccer players?
Statistics show a 3% decline in BC boys soccer.
In 2008, BC registered 57,570 players.
By 2010 the numbers reduced to 55,780.
Only 15% of boys in BC are registered as players.
These numbers alone tell us we are not doing very well.
2. How does BC compare to the rest of Canada?
BC is the 3rd largest soccer Province in Canada. Unfortunately the BC player base is still very low.
Ontario and Quebec have almost 5 times more boys registered in soccer.
While BC has experienced negative growth, Quebec has experienced respectable positive growth overall.
3. How about Canada as a soccer nation?
Things don't look so good for Canada.
Participation in Canada's soccer drops pretty fast as players get older.
Player registration is good in the early years, peaking at around age 10.
From there on, things start to get ugly as players drop out.
The 1st notable decline starts at only 12 years old.
Further declines are then seen at 15 years old.
By the time the boys are 18 years old, Canada will have lost 95% of their players.
So, Canada's male soccer player retention from 10 years old onward, is very poor.
4. Why do these declines occur?
The single biggest reason for kids quitting soccer is adult behavior.
By design, soccer matches have an emphasis on winning.
Inevitably there are issues of dissatisfaction with performance.
Typically this represents itself in the form of a post game analysis.
Adults equate success as winning.
The following USA based study bears relevance here in Canada.
NBC & USA Today reports,
37% of youth said .......... They wished that NO Parents would watch them play.
41% of youth said ............ They had trouble sleeping because they worried about an upcoming match.
71% of youth said ............ They would not care if NO SCORE were kept in their matches.
The amounts of stress put on our children to play well and win matches is massive.
The kids, they want only to earn their parents approval.
Simply put, adult behavior is a major cause of youth choosing to quit soccer.
5. Why do kids play soccer?
This has been said over and over and somehow we keep missing the concept.
So here it is again, for all those interested, be prepared.
The number 1 reason our youth play soccer is To Have Fun!
UCLA Sports Psychology once conducted a study that proved
over 65% of youth played sports to be with their friends.
Only 20% were interested in improving their skills.
After the match, kids want to know only 2 things.
When do we play again and Where is the snack!
No matter who you are, or how old you are ........
When you are enjoying time with friends and having fun,
Those are the best of times!
Life is a joy ......... and there are many good memories.
John McKay
Is a contributor and volunteer with Fast Foot Speed. A Futsal Club based in Vancouver British Columbia Canada.
