FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2007


Participation numbers rise in 2006-07

GAINESVILLE – The number of student participants in high school athletics in Florida and nationwide increased in 2006-07, according to surveys conducted by the Florida High School Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Based on figures from more than 600 member senior high schools, participation in Florida rose by 16,618 to 230,892. Nationwide, participation increased by 183,006 students to 7,342,910 in 2006-07, and girls participation exceeded 3 million for the first time.

Soccer was the most popular sport in Florida for girls with 13,562 participants, followed by volleyball with 12,604 and track & field with 12,362. Eleven-player tackle football was the most popular in Florida for boys with 38,744, followed by track & field with 15,020 and basketball with 14,456.

Boys basketball saw the largest increase in numbers, rising by 1,716, followed by boys soccer, which rose by 1,709 participants. The two largest increases in girls' sports were soccer, rising by 1,593, and track & field, which rose by 948.

Ten most popular programs by number of teams:
1. Boys Basketball, 628 teams.
2. Girls Basketball, 605.
3. Girls Volleyball, 574.
4. Girls Tennis, 573.
5. Baseball, 570.
6. Softball, 535.
7. Boys Soccer, 529.
8. Boys Track & Field, 519.
9. Girls Track & Field, 510.
10. (tie) Football, 502.
10. (tie) Girls Soccer, 502.

Ten most popular boys' programs by participants:
1. Football, 38,744 student-athletes.
2. Track & Field, 15,020.
3. Basketball, 14,456.
4. Soccer, 14,173.
5. Baseball, 13,834.
6. Wrestling, 8,269.
7. Cross Country, 6,298.
8. Weightlifting, 5,361.
9. Swimming & Diving, 5,060.
10. Tennis, 4,274.

Ten most popular girls' programs by participants:
1. Soccer, 13,562 student-athletes.
2. Volleyball, 12,604.
3. Track & Field, 12,362.
4. Basketball, 10,793.
5. Softball, 10,180.
6. Swimming & Diving, 7,352.
7. Cross Country, 6,104.
8. Tennis, 4,917.
9. Flag Football, 4,404.
10. Weightlifting, 3,862.

About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletic competition in Florida. It has a membership of more than 750 middle, junior and senior high schools.


Contact:
Laurel Ring
Communications Coordinator FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 350
lring@fhsaa.org