Keeping kids in the game

In Québec, more than 70 percent of young people stop participating in organized sports between the ages of 12 and 14. That’s not just a statistic; it’s thousands of teens quietly stepping away from something that once brought them joy.

Health Canada recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity each day. Yet most adolescents fall short. Somewhere along the way, movement stops feeling like play—and starts feeling like pressure.

Endurance advocate Pierre Lavoie points to early specialization as a key factor. Many young athletes focus on a single sport too soon, often facing growing expectations from coaches, parents, and even themselves. When sport becomes about performance instead of participation, enjoyment can fade. Discouragement replaces excitement, and many teens simply choose to walk away.

Research suggests another path: variety. Young people who develop a broad range of motor skills are more likely to stay active beyond their teenage years. Sliding snow sports, water activities, trail running, biking, team sport, even aerial movement — each builds coordination, confidence, and resilience.

Here in Mont-Tremblant and across the Laurentians, diversity of movement is part of who we are. We live in the ultimate outdoor playground, surrounded by opportunity year-round. As parents, coaches, and community members, we have the chance to protect the joy of movement before it turns into obligation. The goal isn’t to create elite athletes. It’s to raise confident, capable young people who enjoy being active for life.

If we want our youth to stay in sport, we may need to shift the question from “How good are they?” to “Are they still having fun?”

Because staying in the game matters far more than winning it.