Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/951849
teaminsightmag.com March 2018 / Team Insight 11 T eam sports were at the fore- front of a recent move by the Trump administration, which unexpectedly revised the title of the "President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition," to the "President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition." Along with the name change came plans to put an increased emphasis on youth sports participation for all age groups. In an executive order, President Trump wrote, "My Administration recognizes the benefits of youth sports participation, physical activity and a nutritious diet in helping create habits that support a healthy lifestyle and improve the overall health of the American people. "My Administration therefore aims to expand and encourage youth sports participation and to promote the overall physical fitness, health and nutrition of all Americans. "Good health, including physical activity and proper nutrition, supports Americans', particularly children's, well-being, growth and develop- ment," the executive order continued. "Participating in sports allows children to experience the connection between effort and success and it enhances their academic, economic and social prospects. Many of America's leaders attribute their lifetime achievements to lessons learned through sports participation and athletic activity. Youth sports help working parents and guardians by providing their children opportunities to engage in productive, positive activities outside of school." The order pointed out that during the past decade youth participation in team sports has declined and as of 2016, only 37 percent of children played team sports on a regular basis, down from 45 percent in 2008. Particularly troubling, it read, is that sports participation disproportion- ately lags among young girls and children who are from economically distressed areas. In addition to the order, Ivanka Trump chimed in with an op-ed piece for NBC News: "Whether a student aspires to be an Olympic athlete or simply enjoys being a part of a team, youth sports gives children and young adults a unique opportunity to develop their talents, to learn how to work with others and to persevere in the face of adversity." Q "Many of America's leaders attribute their lifetime achievements to lessons learned through sports participation and athletic activity." PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IN A RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDER Trump: Make Team Sports Great Again! Executive order aims to increase sports participation in America.