A report released looking at the state of football suggest participation in the sport from age 7 through 12 Pop Warner participation is down and has never really been that big in Texas but before we look at the numbers this subject has been covered by RDFA Benbrook Stars before .

Here are some factors first the down turn in the economy started the spiral in 2007 the cost was getting out of hand to allow continuing growth at a cost factor of around $200 for one player to play then school supplies within the same time frame of the season starting contributed to the falling numbers as well.

So far the economy is still creeping alone without any one truely knowing when it will recover fully continues to keep the number of young players from hitting the field .

Now the upper cut to the NFL game from concussion's have become a concern also many parents are looking at not allowing kids to play until the kids are around age 11 and also at 13 most players are in 7th grade which is currently still free to players even though the economy has had schools looking into charging a fee.

The age grouping to participate with the Stars program is age 10 through 12 with a possible 13u team coming in 2014 we have a schlorship based program and parents are only asked to cover shoes and other minor equipment needs.

As for those falling numbers 9.5% between 2010 and 2012 23,612 players only counting Pop Warner all youth football has been affected so the total numbers are much higher USA Football in part funded by the NFL suggest numbers from 3 million to 2.8 million in 2011.

The game is heading in a more specialized athlete and so the numbers will continue to fall but the game will be played by only those with the skills supported by athletic ability and training.