The ability to pay should not be a barrier for participation in youth sports. The same is true for a child or young adult with differing abilities. Nearly four in five U.S. adults agree on the importance of youth having affordable access to play sports, regardless of skill. Park and recreation professionals are leading providers in adaptive and inclusive programming. One-third of park and recreation agencies offer adaptive or inclusive sports activities so people of all abilities may participate. Two in three agencies offer reduced or discounted fees for lower-income residents.

Key Findings:

• 78% of U.S. adults believe that it is important that youth sports providers offer all children and young adults opportunities to learn about and play sports regardless of their skill or ability to pay
• Nearly 3 in 5 U.S. adults believe it is very or extremely important that youth sports providers offer all children and young adults opportunities to learn about and play sports regardless of their skill or ability to pay
• Parents (64%) are much more likely to think it is very or extremely important for kids to be offered these opportunities regardless of their skill or ability to pay than those without children in the household (56%).

Links: 

NRPA Out-of-School Time Report, Youth Sports at Park and Recreation Agencies report, 2022 NRPA Agency Performance Review