Many of us sign our children up for their first teams when they’re only three years old. By the time kids reach middle school and high school they have the opportunity to be a part of athletic programs at school. The message is that all kids are welcome to join in and give it a try, but the reality is that there are many obstacles that prevent kids from participating.
Talk of Iowa host Charity Nebbe speaks with a variety of guests about access and equality in youth sports and club teams across Iowa. Many of the barriers to youth sports access include transportation, fees for physical examinations and equipment costs. They also discuss whether particpation rates are more important than boxscores.
Guests:
- Dan Gould, director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University
- Izaah Knox, executive director of Urban Dreams
- Dan Huff, athletic director Waterloo Community School District
- Kellap Grant, teacher and coach at Central Middle School in Waterloo
- Emily Luymes, board member of "Drew's Crew For Kids" and elementary school counselor in Waukee
