What keeps young people in sport? Ken Martel shared a clear message: when young people enjoy their experience, they are more likely to keep playing. When they don’t, many stop.
Ken Martel, Senior Director of Player and Coach Development at USA Hockey, has more than 30 years’ experience in community and high performance ice hockey. He was in New Zealand earlier this year to share USA Hockey’s story of participation growth and success on the world stage with sport leaders.
Drawing on his work in athlete and coach development, he shared practical insights into what creates positive sport experiences and helps young people stay involved.
Why enjoyment matters
Young people are more likely to stay involved when sport feels:
- enjoyable and motivating
- supportive, not overly pressured
- focused on learning and improvement.
Enjoyment doesn’t mean sport lacks challenge. It means young people are in an environment that helps them build confidence, develop skills and enjoy being active.
What a great sport experience looks like
Great sport experiences are designed around young people. They:
- encourage play, creativity and decision‑making
- balance challenge with enjoyment
- avoid over‑scripting or excessive adult control
- focus on development, not just results.
When young people feel they have a say in their sport, they are more likely to keep coming back.
The role of parents and coaches
Adults play a powerful role in influencing how sport feels for young people.
For parents, simple messages like “I love watching you play” can help young people feel supported without adding pressure.
For coaches, creating environments that build learning, confidence and independence helps young people grow in sport and in life.
When coaches grow, young people benefit.
Rethinking success in sport for young people
Success in sport for young people isn’t about winning.
A strong sign of a good sport experience is whether young people:
- enjoy taking part
- feel supported
- want to return next season.
When more young people stay involved for longer, sport is better for everyone – for young people, their whānau, their communities and the future of sport in Aotearoa.
Watch this video to hear Ken Martel share his insights on creating positive sport environments for young people.
