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From research to real-world impact

These studies are designed to move beyond insight and into action.

The goal is to translate research into practical tools and education supporting real-world environments across the soccer ecosystem.

STAY IN THE LOOP

Want to stay up to date on the latest updates, resources, and community news from Soccer Forward? Join our network and be the first to know what’s new.

Spot something we can improve? Share your feedback.

Research shaping girls’ and women’s soccer

The Kang Women’s Institute leads research focused on improving female health, performance, and participation in soccer.

These insights inform operational best practices, resources, and education to better support players, coaches, and environments across the game.

In its first year, the Kang Women’s Institute has embarked on two initial research areas focused on: participation and performance.

HERS TO PLAY: Girls’ dropout & retention study

This study explores why girls stay in or leave soccer between ages 8–18, and the key factors that shape long-term participation.

A young girl participating in a soccer training session.

Why this matters
Girls are leaving soccer at higher rates than boys, making it the highest youth dropout sport in the U.S.

Dropout is not random. It clusters at key moments:

Age 9: transition into competitive pathways
Ages 11–14: puberty drives a sharp increase in dropout
Ages 16–17: nearly half of remaining players exit

Women’s Performance Insights Study

Applying female health and performance data in real-world environments.

This groundbreaking study in partnership with University of North Carolina will provide answers to an essential missing piece of the puzzle for high-performing female sports, identifying how menstrual cycle tracking can be implemented across the soccer ecosystem. Paving the way to optimize player health and performance, this will also facilitate future, meaningful insights.

From research to real-world impact

These studies are designed to move beyond insight and into action.

The goal is to translate research into practical tools and education supporting real-world environments across the soccer ecosystem.

Research shaping girls’ and women’s soccer

The Kang Women’s Institute leads research focused on improving female health, performance, and participation in soccer.

These insights inform operational best practices, resources, and education to better support players, coaches, and environments across the game.

In its first year, the Kang Women’s Institute has embarked on two initial research areas focused on: participation and performance.

HERS TO PLAY: Girls’ dropout & retention study

This study explores why girls stay in or leave soccer between ages 8–18, and the key factors that shape long-term participation.

Why this matters
Girls are leaving soccer at higher rates than boys, making it the highest youth dropout sport in the U.S.

Dropout is not random. It clusters at key moments:

Age 9: transition into competitive pathways
Ages 11–14: puberty drives a sharp increase in dropout
Ages 16–17: nearly half of remaining players exit

What this study is doing

Women’s Performance Insights Study

Applying female health and performance data in real-world environments.

Professional soccer players taking part in a soccer training drill.

What this study is doing

Defining best practices for collecting, managing, and using female health data
Identifying tools and approaches that work across different levels of the game
Exploring scalable options for teams and organizations with varying resources
Standardizing practice to pave the way for future research

What this study is doing

Defining best practices for collecting, managing, and using female health data
Identifying tools and approaches that work across different levels of the game
Exploring scalable options for teams and organizations with varying resources
Standardizing practice to pave the way for future research

What this will deliver

A unique understanding of why some girls have stayed in
Practical guidance on where to focus efforts
Practical tools and support girls at key moments

Help shape how girls are supported in the game

We’re gathering input from women who played youth soccer in the U.S. to better understand these key moments and improve how girls are supported in the game.

Open to women aged 19+ who played soccer between ages 8–18.

If this is relevant to you or your network, please share the survey to ensure a broader range of experiences are represented.