Tacoma – Pierce County
State of Play
GET EVERY KID IN THE GAME
The Names Family's new Partnership with the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program has released the State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County on Oct. 25, 2023, as the Aspen Institute’s latest community report. The report assesses the state of youth sports and physical activity in Pierce County, Washington.
The report, State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County, is the product of a one-year analysis of Tacoma and Pierce County, guided by an advisory group of 19 community leaders whose work revolves around play, sports, recreation and healthy communities. The Aspen Institute identified 40 findings and made recommendations based on youth surveys; focus-group discussions with young people, coaches, sports administrators and parents; media accounts; and existing public information.
A GROWING LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The report shows the clear value of physical activity to mental health, which is a growing challenge. Physically active youth in Pierce County reported feeling more excited, happier and motivated. Those who are physically inactive said they felt more nervous, anxious, sad, depressed or hopeless.
Only 19% of Pierce County youth receive 60 minutes of daily physical activity as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The State of Play-Pierce County advisory group aspires to increase Pierce County’s physical activity rate to at least the national average, if not higher, through collective and individual actions.
FINDING SOLUTIONS
The report outlines three promising opportunities for the community to bring a child’s mental health to the forefront within sports and recreation:
Train coaches and recreational professionals to promote good mental health.
Align sports and recreation with state and local mental health efforts.
Create public awareness about mental health in youth sports.
NAMES FAMILY FOUNDATION HAS BEEN CHAMPIONING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH FOR GENERATIONS
The Names Family Foundation is very invested in this community, funding opportunities for youth and families to be active and healthy, After 26 years of grant making – and recognizing COVID 19’s significant impact to the landscape of sports and physical activity – the board of directors decided it was a great time to convene a coalition of community partners to embark on this research project, State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County. The Names Family Foundation is honored to co-host with Metro Parks Tacoma and over 20 other leaders whose work revolves around play, sports, recreation, and healthy communities.
The Names Family Foundation Board of Directors has kept the founding mission alive by providing grants to numerous recipients throughout the Pierce County region – cumulatively granting over $36 million to support sports, athletics and community wellness. State of Play Tacoma-Pierce County offers data and strategies to help the community identify needs and initiatives – with a more targeted approach to funding projects.
STATE OF PLAY REPORT KEY FINDINGS
Pierce County youth are less physically active than the nation and state.
Increased physical activity translates to better mental health.
Disabled and nonbinary youth are far less likely to be physically active.
Youth have strong interest in trying individual and nontraditional sports.
More turf fields, field lights and indoor facilities are needed.
There’s not a one-size-fits-all model for Pierce County.
The commitment to the whole child is this community’s greatest asset.
To read the complete State of Play, Tacoma – Pierce County report, download it below.
more about the Aspen Institute Sports and Society Program
The mission of the Sports & Society Program is to convene leaders, foster dialogue, and inspire solutions that help sport serve the public interest, with a focus on the development of healthy children and communities. Its signature initiative is Project Play, which develops, applies and shares knowledge that helps build healthy communities through sports.
For more information, visit www.ProjectPlay.us
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world.
For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org