HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2026-4673
HR 4673
By Representative Rule
WHEREAS, The Washington state sports community is celebrating prominence on the world stage as a site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and
WHEREAS, More than half of youth in Washington state participate in organized athletics; and
WHEREAS, Organized youth sports and physical activity can provide essential infrastructure for youth well-being with lifelong benefits; and
WHEREAS, High quality youth sports support academic engagement and school attendance; promote resiliency and physical health; and protect against anxiety and depression; and
WHEREAS, Only 24 percent of youth statewide meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, with participation rates declining as children age; and
WHEREAS, Washington state ranks 38th in youth well-being, according to Mental Health America; and
WHEREAS, Disparities exist in access to organized sports, especially for girls, youth of color, children with disabilities, immigrants, children who reside in rural areas, LGBTQ+ youth, and children from low-income families, and with youth who do not speak English at home nearly three times more likely to never participate in sports; and
WHEREAS, Young people thrive when their coaches are trained in youth development principles and when they have access to trained professionals who can assess injuries common to young athletes like concussions, heat strokes, stress fractures, knee injuries, and ankle sprains; and
WHEREAS, Early specialization in youth athletics has been found to cause overuse injuries and burnout; and