National High School Soccer Coaches Association Statistics

Some interesting facts:      

• 1 in 27 girls participated in sports in 1972, 1 in 3 do today.     
• For girls ages 6 to 11, the number of frequent participants (2 or more times per week) in 15 vigorous sports has increased 86% since 1987, from 2 million to 3.8 million.      
• Girls who participate in sports get better grades and are more likely to graduate.       
• Girls who play sports are less likely to get pregnant at an early age.     
• Girls who participate in sports are less likely to use drugs or to stay in an abusive relationship.      
• Girls who participate in sports experience greater self-esteem, increased self-confidence and a more positive body image.      
• If a girl does not participate in sports by the time she is 10 years old, there is only a 10% chance she will be participating later in life.      
• During the past 10 years the number of girls who play on high school teams rose 31%.      
• Women 18-24 are the most active exercisers of any age group. Over the last 10 years, women's participation in fitness is up 77%.      
• Women who participate in sports four or more times per week, decrease their chance of breast cancer by 60%.       
• 80% of female Fortune 500 company executives participated in sports.