With the exception of tackle football and volleyball, all team sports showed participation increases in 2002, according to preliminary numbers found in the soon-to-be released “Sports Participation in 2002” reports. The reports, published in two series by NSGA, are expected to be available next month.
Basketball, the highest-ranking team sport (28.9 million participants), grew 3.0% in 2002. Second-ranked soccer (14.5 million) grew 4.7%. Third-ranked baseball (15.6 million) rose 5.1%. Fourth-ranked softball (13.6 million), which had shown declines the last five years, rose 3.2%.
Only tackle football (7.4 million) and volleyball (11.5 million) showed declines, 9.8% and 4.5% respectively. Touch football (10.3 million) grew 8.6%.
“Sports Participation in 2002 – Series I and II” cover 46 sports, recreation and fitness activities. Pre-publication discounts are being offered on all orders received by April 14.
These reports have been published by NSGA for the last 17 years. They provide data on total 2002 participation, frequency of participation, and average number of participation days. Single-time participation, which is not counted in the total, is included separately.
Demographic data on participants includes gender, age, gender by age, household income, and education of male and female head of household. Geographic analysis includes nine census regions and metro area size. Presence of children is also noted, and Internet usage is reported by gender and age of participants.
In addition to Series I and II, state-by-state data is available in “Sports Participation in 2002: State-By-State.” This report covers 33 sports and activities, and provides data on total participation, frequency of participation and total participation days.
For more information on pre-publication pricing of these and other NSGA research reports, please contact the NSGA Research Department, (800) 815-5422, or e-mail: info@nsga.org. Information is also available on the NSGA web site, www.nsga.org.
