Local Moms Want Solution for Stress of Youth Sports

i9 Sports
Published: August 20th, 2013

New Survey Reveals Youth Sports Cause Marital and Family Battles, Poor Job Performance and Big League Worry!

August 20, 2013 // Franchising.com // This back-to-school season, it’s not just supply shopping and children’s grades that have local moms stressed out. A new survey reveals moms are buckling in the bleachers under the grueling pressures of their children’s sports, jeopardizing their jobs, relationships, self esteem and sanity. Moms simply want youth sports to be much less demanding and much more fun.

The just released survey of more than 400 moms with children in organized youth sports reveals the current “practice and play ‘til you drop” and "win at all costs" culture of youth sports not only puts unhealthy pressure on children but creates significant stress for mom - both at home and at the office. The startling statistics show:

• 68% of moms polled say their children’s involvement in youth sports causes stress in their lives.
• 51% say it causes stress for the entire family.
• 24% say it causes conflict with their significant other. Arguments over time, money, driving and harsh reactions to children who didn’t play well were cited.
• 24% say they’ve resented their children because sports take up too much time. 
• 76% say they’re happy when their children’s sports season is over.

Work Stress:

Of moms who work:

• 65% say their children’s sports interfere with their jobs. 
• 43% say they’re less productive at work – some because they have to leave early for practices or games, others because they answer youth sports emails and calls during work, and others because they get distracted and worry if their child didn’t play well. 
• 16% of moms who say youth sports interfere with their jobs say they feel they’ve lost out on raises or promotions because of their commitment to their children’s sports.

The survey was commissioned by i9 Sports, the nation’s first and fastest growing youth sports league franchise, a company with leagues in our area changing the culture of youth sports with a format that is more fun for kids and much less stressful for parents.

“This survey clearly shows we need to change youth sports to put less pressure on children and their families,” says Brian Sanders, President and COO of i9 Sports.

America’s moms are desperate to change youth sports for two reasons:

1) Pressure on Children to Perform

• 79% say they wish there was an alternative to youth sports’ win-at-all-costs culture, and most of these moms want more focus on fun and less emphasis on winning.
• 54% say the competitive culture of youth sports hurts children. Many worry children’s self esteem suffers when they don’t play well.
• 23% say they or their children have been excluded socially because their children weren’t as good as the other players. 

2) Time/Money Commitment

Of those who said youth sports stressed out the family:

• 87% blame sports schedule conflicts for all the stress (More than one quarter of the moms polled have children in sports five nights a week.40% are driving more than four hours a week for sports). 
• 62% say cost is an issue.
• 53% say youth sports have robbed them of time for holidays, weekends and free time.

“Our goal is to bring families together with youth sports, not tear them apart,” says Sanders. “Our one day per week commitment allows the family to enjoy the benefits of participation without the stress. Practices are conveniently held prior to the game, and parents are able to simply relax and enjoy watching their children have fun. And because we typically offer multiple sports at our playing locations, families have options that do not require driving across town or splitting up to attend each child's games.”

How i9 Sports is So Different:

• One Day Per Week Commitment - Each week there is one game and one practice right before the game.
• Convenient Location - Games are all played locally in the city where you sign up so you never travel far. No travel teams or overnight tournaments that require lodging expenses and extra fees.
• No Mandatory Volunteering or Fundraising - Parents come to enjoy their children playing a game. No volunteering or fundraising is required.
• Emphasis on Learning and Sportsmanship - Children receive age appropriate instruction in game fundamentals with an emphasis on fair play versus the score of the game. Weekly sportsmanship values are taught and recognized with an award.
• Safe and Supportive Environment - Coaches are background checked and certified. Trained officials are at every game and parents sign the “i9 Sports Parental Pledge,” which prohibits sideline negativity, creating a fun enjoyable experience for the whole family.
• Focus on Fun - Players enjoy equal playing time regardless of talent level. There are no tryouts or drafts.

We can set up interviews with local moms, young athletes and youth sports experts to talk about the need for change in youth sports.

*Editor’s Note:

*Please cite i9 Sports as the source for this survey.

*This online survey was done by a third party and commissioned by i9 Sports.

*Survey participants have no affiliation with i9 Sports.

About i9 Sports®

Based in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area, i9 Sports® is the first and fastest-growing youth sports league franchise company in the United States. With more than half a million members in 275 communities from New York to Hawaii, i9 Sports offers leagues, camps and clinics for boys and girls ages 3-14 in today’s most popular team sports such as flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball and more.

A privately held company, i9 Sports was founded in 2003 by CEO Frank Fiume on the principle that the No. 1 reason kids play organized sports is to have fun, not to become a draft pick. Reinventing the industry, customers enjoy the i9 Sports Experience which emphasizes fun, safety and convenience as well as teaching the value of good sportsmanship.

Named No. 1 Children’s Fitness Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine, i9 Sports has been ranked in their prestigious Franchise 500® issue the past six years. i9 Sports has also been listed among INC Magazine’s 5000 Fastest Growing Companies for the past three years and received Franchise Business Review’s Top 50 in Franchise Satisfaction Award for four years in a row.

For more information on i9 Sports, visit www.i9sports.com . To learn more about the low investment, low overhead i9 Sports franchise model, visit www.i9sportsfranchise.com.

SOURCE i9 Sports®

Media Contacts:

Matt DeMargel
mdemargel@i9sports.com
919.459.8164

Suzy Yannello
suzy@i9sports.com
919.459.8162