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#DontRetireKidOneYearLater

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One year ago next week, 9-year-old Derek Heyswiver (an anagram for Kids Everywhere) retired from sports, announcing as much at a packed press conference that included journalists, his parents and coaches.

Kobe Bryant announced the news with a tweet, followed by an in-studio appearance on SportsCenter as ESPN launched the PSA campaign on all networks. Clayton Kershaw, Albert Pujols, Cody Bellinger, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Blake Griffin, Swin Cash, Cassius Winston and other stars chimed in on social media, most of them encouraging Heyswiver to unretire. In the first week alone, the campaign to address the problem of early attrition in youth sports generated 167 million impressions. Nearly every major national TV news network ran pieces on the campaign, as did many online outlets.

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Is there evidence of COVID-19 outbreaks due to youth sports?

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As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

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How should youth sports handle COVID-19 refund requests?

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As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

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Is it safe to play youth sports indoors during COVID-19?

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As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.

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How should youth sports handle artificial turf and COVID-19?

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As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful.

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NFHS director is “very worried” high school sports get cut due to COVID-19

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Introduced more than a century ago as a tool of nation-building, high school sports sit at a crossroads. Only 39% of students participate, and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 25, Project Play hosted a conversation with school experts and students about the challenges and opportunities for high school sports.

Why we’re reimagining school sports in America

Pre-COVID-19, the supply of experiences made available to students was not meeting the demand for them. Offer them a sport experience tailored to their needs and interests, led by a caring coach, and most are in. But only 39% of students play high school sports, according to a 2017 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Rates are lowest in urban (32%), high-poverty (27%), and charter (19%) schools.

That’s why our Sports & Society Program at the Aspen Institute is launching a new phase of Project Play – “Reimagining School Sports in America.” The multiyear initiative consists of a national search to find high schools that are exemplary in providing or connecting the broadest reach of the student population with quality sport experiences.

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What should return to play for youth basketball look like?

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As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful.

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Should kids wear masks at youth sports practices and games?

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As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.