About this episode

Tom Farrey discusses the current state of youth sports, sharing insights on participation trends and the importance of joy in sports.

In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we sit down with Tom Farrey, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Project Play and a longtime voice in youth sports. With decades of experience and groundbreaking research, Tom shares the latest data on participation trends, the impact of commercialization, early specialization, and the growing influence of NIL at younger ages. Discover powerful lessons from Norway’s remarkably successful youth sports model, why joy and love of the game matter more than wins at young ages, the importance of multi-sport play, and practical ways communities can drive real change through the “power of the permit.” Whether you’re a parent, coach, or youth sports leader, this conversation delivers honest insights, hope, and actionable ideas for building healthier, more inclusive youth sports environments. Tune in for a big-picture look at where youth sports stands today — and where it’s headed. #YouthSports #ProjectPlay #ParentingInSports #AspenInstitute

People in this episode

Host: Jeff Francoeur

Guest: Tom Farrey

Topics covered

• youth sports
• participation trends
• commercialization
• early specialization
• multi-sport play
• community change

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Aspen Institute, Project Play

More episodes of The Pure Athlete Podcast

• 174. Reclassifying - The Controversial Extra Year in Youth Sports · May 27, 2026 · 27 min
• 172. Will Summer Fun Set My Kid Back in Sports? ASK US ANYTHING #1 · May 15, 2026 · 36 min
• 171. Catie Francoeur: Behind the Scenes With A Sports Mom · May 12, 2026 · 1h 4m

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