Congestion on the Pitch: Growth and Conflict in Georgia Youth Soccer
Congestion on the Pitch: Growth and Conflict in Georgia Youth Soccer
Welch Suggs and Gabriella Etienne (Grady undergraduate), “Congestion on the Pitch: Growth and Conflict in Georgia Youth Soccer,” Journal of Policy History, in press. Abstract: This article uses youth soccer in Georgia, a state traditionally dominated by American football, as a case study of the challenges of the American youth sports system as a mechanism for talent development. We trace the historical divergence of U.S. youth sports from global models, emphasizing the inefficiencies of school-based athletics and the rise of privatized club systems. Through historical analysis and interviews, the study reveals how socioeconomic barriers, geographic disparities, and competing league structures hinder equitable access and talent development. The pay-to-play model exacerbates exclusion, particularly for minority and low-income families. Georgia’s case reflects broader national trends, where market-driven youth sports systems prioritize elite experiences over inclusive development.
Related Research
-
Teaching Sports Media: Classroom Strategies for Getting Your Students in the GameWelch Suggs and Lauren Reichart Smith (eds.) Teaching Sports Media: Classroom Strategies for Getting Your Students in the Game. (2026) Bloomsbury. Overview: This practice-oriented guide equips instructors with proven strategies and activities for […]
-
Georgia and the Beautiful GameWelch Suggs, book under contract: Georgia and the Beautiful Game. UGA Press. Expected publication: 2027. Synopsis: An exploration of the history and culture of soccer in Georgia, from the stonemasons who […]