Participation In High School Sports Declines In Washington, U.S.

According to a recent release from the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association (WIAA), the number of students in the state of Washington -- as well as the rest of the country -- competing in organized sports/activities has decreased for the first time in 31 years.

The data supporting this was culled from surveys conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and displayed a decrease of about 43,000 participants nationwide -- the first decline since the 1988-89 school year.
In 2017-18, some 7,980,886 were involved (Boys - 4,565,580 / Girls - 3,415,306) in various activities compared to 7,937,491 last year.

Washington ranked #15 overall in terms of most participation out of all 50 states. The biggest decrease by activity nationally were 11-man football and basketball. The state followed suit in seeing fewer turn out for football (11-man) but an increase in 8-man football. Other sports that ticked upwards in the Evergreen State included cross country, track and field, and wrestling (Boys) as well as bowling, track and field, and wrestling (Girls).

Have your kids decreased the number of activities that they were involved in? If so, why? Let us know in the comments section below.