The Problem We’re Solving
Youth athletes and their families face a growing set of challenges, on the field, in the classroom, and beyond - that can have lasting impacts on success. Our work at 2 Sports Moms is directly tied to the following issues:
Decreasing sports participation among youth
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Core team sports participation (volleyball, baseball, etc.) declined by 6% among kids ages 6-17 between 2019 and 2022 (1.2 million fewer youth regularly playing).
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According to SFIA data, the number of sports kids play regularly has dropped 13% since 2019.
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Low-income children are disproportionately impacted, with just 34.1% participating on sports teams or in coaching outside of school, compared to nearly two-thirds (67.7%) of children from the higher-income families.
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These trends result in children being shut out of sports, and as a consequence, key developmental benefits of athletics: teamwork, discipline, physical health, resilience, and the pathways that sports open to educational and career advancement.
Academic & athletic success linked to family involvement
Student-athletes who perform well both on the field and in the classroom often have a parent or family actively engaged—but it’s the quality of that engagement that matters. Recent studies include:
Research on 7th–8th graders shows that children with parents engaged in both sports and education are more likely to earn sports awards (59.6%) and stay in sports longer (55.3%) than those with less-involved parents.
Recent study among collegiate athletes found the influence of parents on student-athletes surpassed the influence of coaches and teammates, when it came to seeking mental-health support.
Balancing support: one study found student-athletes with the highest levels of parent involvement had the lowest GPAs, while those with moderate involvement had the highest GPAs—indicating too much (or mis-directed) pressure can have a negative impact.
Gaps in access, knowledge, and resources
Parental involvement often hinges on access to resources and knowledge. However, many families are missing the information and resources necessary to support young athletes in balancing sport and education.
Cost, access, and finances still burden youth sports: a national study shows low-income families report extreme difficulty paying for their children’s sports. One data point: 49% of parents cite difficulty covering the costs of youth sports.
Parent involvement is complex, tied to the social and cultural sport context: Influencing factors include parent sport knowledge, the sport context, coach/parent relationships, and previous parental experience.
The academic side of student-athlete development often remains overlooked, under-supported and (for many parents) uncharted, creating extra complexity for student-athletes who must balance school, sport, and future career/planning.
Why a Holistic Solution Matters
Without the right support, student-athletes face more than just a tough season, they risk long-term setbacks:
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Early Burnout: Losing the lifelong benefits of teamwork and physical health.
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Academic Imbalance: Struggling to manage the dual roles of student and athlete.
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Support Gaps: Parental involvement that lacks the "best practice" alignment to keep kids motivated.
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Inequity: Families lacking the tools to navigate the "pipeline" to scholarships and leadership.
The 2 Sports Moms Difference
We don't just look at the stats; we look at the person. Our programs tie sports, school, and family together into one holistic system designed to help every student-athlete thrive.
