According to new research, more that $2 billion was cut from the nation’s youth sports last year alone. The data revealed that budget cuts have occurred in urban, suburban and rural school districts in communities as diverse as Los Angeles, Billings, Mont. and Preston, Conn. “The ‘ripple effect’ of these budget cuts will extend far beyond the playing fields, and represents a loss for children and youth physically, emotionally and academically,” said Paul Caccamo, the executive director of Up2Us, the leading national coalition of youth sports organizations. “Sports participation isn’t just about improving your serve or throwing a touchdown pass, but about instilling lifelong, positive recreation with education, and whose four programs serve hundreds of children.”
“The impact of the recession and these budget cuts are being felt in our programs, and negatively affecting our ability to serve the children and families who depend on us,” said Jai Nanda of Urban Dove, a New York City program that combines recreation with education, and whose four programs serve hundreds of children.
