Youth Sports Participation Levels

As 2025 comes to a close, some youth sports participation trends are coming through.  Most of these won't come as news to anyone, but they are enlightening nonetheless.  A few graphs are posted below for you to take a look at the hard data.  A few takeaways:

+Wisconsin is #5 overall in girls youth sport participation.  While healthy for everyone, does this create more or less opportunity to grow rugby here?

-Girls participation rates in basketball have been declining consistently while girls volleyball and flag football continue to see increased numbers.  Girls bball in the USA peaked at 451,600 in 2000, decreasing to 356,240 in 2025.  

Volleyball surpassed basketball as the most popular girls team sport a decade ago and has grown from 380,994 participants to 492,799 since 2000. That’s a 21% drop for basketball and 29% increase for volleyball. 

-The overall number of girls playing rugby in Wisconsin is down from a peak back in the 2010 to 2012 era.  Nevertheless, there are several very committed programs with solid participation levels that are the envy of many states.   Overall USA Youth and HS numbers noted a 9% increase in girls rugby registrations in 2025 and note the number of girls teams increased 19% from 2024 to 2025.  Much of that was attributed to regaining momentum lost with Covid shutdowns and lost clubs.  

Number of girls playing high school basketball and number of schools reporting

Season

Players

Schools

2024-25

356,240

18,208

2018-19

399,067

18,210

2014-15

429,504

17,653

2009-10

439,550

17,711

2004-05

456,543

17,175

1999-2000

451,600

16,526

Source: National Federation of State High School Association

Mutual Respect: Coaches, Players, Fans, & Refs

 From a recent Rugby Pass Article:

"The foundation stone of honest and open communication extends to both players and supporters of the game alike. 

In 2024, Luke Pearce took to social media platform ‘X’ to explain a decision he made in a Rugby Championship game between Australia and South Africa. Pearce had penalized the Springbok defensive line for offside after Wallaby scrum-half Jake Gordon knocked the ball on, and one Springbok supporter questioned the decision online:

From International referee Luke Pierce:

“It was a mistake on my part. I didn’t see the 9 knock the ball on. We try our best but sometimes we get it wrong. Thanks for the question.” [Pearce]

Another poster summarized the quality of such fan engagement as follows: “How it should work! Courteous question. Honest answer. Mutual respect.”

Here's an admission of error by one of the world's finest, fittest, most studious referees.  

It's often wondered by fans, parents, players, and coaches how referees can miss a clear knock-on.  Well, how can a referee watch a ruck and the offside line at the same time?  It's nearly impossible.  And keep in mind most high-level refs like Pierce have fully trained and empowered sideline flag judge referees.   In the vast majority of community, local-level matches in the United States, there's one ref in the middle and she or he is completely on their own.  Their touch judge may be untrained or so closely affiliated with a team (likely) that it gives the appearance of bias.  That's a tough situation for all involved.

All this serves to lead us into the next LEVEL 1 REF TRAINING CLINIC in Chicago on February 21st.  Rugby in the USA needs more help at multiple levels especially in officiating.  The girls league is a GREAT place to start.  There are a lot of local games; the schedule is posted well in advance, and teams show up for their matches on time.  There are a lot of amiable, supportive coaches in it for the good of the game. Contact WGR or the Wisconsin Ref's Society to get involved.   Alumni, we need you.

Women's Flag Football

 In today's news, UW-Parkside, just south of Milwaukee, announced they will be offering NCAA scholarships for a new women's flag football program.  Growing off the inclusion of men's and women's flag football in the Olympics, and supported by millions of dollars from the NFL, women's flag football may supplant rugby and other sports as the fastest growing sport for girls.  Parkside's program was jump-started by a $1 million donation.   

Numerous girls flag football teams have been popping up at area high schools such as DSHA, Waukesha West, Kettle Moraine, Cudahy, and Mukwonago high school.  Supporters note that last year there were about 50,000 participants in GIRLS flag football across the United States.  

A list of teams can be found on the Green Bay Packers website.  They are also a hub for the sport as they host a big tournament on Lambeau field.

What effect may girls flag football have on girls rugby in Wisconsin?