Teen Sports Star Rease Marchese Shines in Tennis and Flag Football!

Plant City, USA - Meet Rease Marchese, the spirited 17-year-old student from Strawberry Crest High School who’s making waves in the local sports scene. An athlete who thrives in multiple arenas, Rease has spent the past six years perfecting her tennis skills while also diving headfirst into swimming and flag football since she entered high school. It’s no surprise that she’s captured the spotlight; her passion for athletics and fierce competitiveness have led her to district finals and onward to the regionals this year. Rease believes that tennis is her forte, allowing her the flexibility to play solo or in doubles, making it a favorite pastime.

But don’t let her passion for tennis overshadow her love for flag football. Rease boldly claims it’s the toughest sport she plays, attributing its challenges to the demands of teamwork and physical endurance. Team dynamics make flag football particularly demanding for her during practice sessions, often feeling the need for a partner to hone her skills. It’s clear that Rease thrives on the pressure, stating that her favorite memory was rallying her team during the district finals.

The Big Picture of Youth Sports

Rease isn’t alone in navigating the complexities of youth sports. According to a recent report from the Aspen Institute, the landscape of youth athletics is evolving rapidly. The State of Play 2022 report uncovered that while the average annual cost per child participating in one sport is now $883—down 6% since before the pandemic—over a quarter of kids have lost interest in sports altogether. This shift indicates broader trends affecting families across various income levels, particularly as wealthier families continue to outspend poorer ones by a ratio of four to one.

The pandemic’s residual effects have changed the game, with inflation driving up costs and causing 30% of community sports programs to close, merge, or scale back operations. Despite these challenges, youth sports have seen a surge in participation through community programs, rising from 38% in 2021 to a noteworthy 58% in 2022. Interestingly, tennis has seen a spike in engagement, adding 679,000 new young players from 2019 to 2021—a testament to the sport’s resilience.

Growing Trends and Future Aspirations

Rease has a diverse array of interests, with aspirations beyond tennis. This summer, she plans a memorable trip to Colorado while also dedicating time to tennis training and eyeing a new sport: pickleball. With paddles in hand and friends ready to join, she’s eager to dive into this emerging game, which has seen an astonishing 83% growth in youth participation, adding 462,000 new players between 2019 and 2021.

Rease’s enthusiasm for sports goes hand in hand with her commitment to leadership. As she prepares to become team captain next year, she encourages her peers with wisdom that resonates strongly today: “Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and stay disciplined.” Her involvement extends beyond athletics; she also engages in numerous extracurricular activities, including the American Sign Language Honors Society, National Honor Society, National FFA organization, and Impact club.

As local youth navigate the ever-changing dynamics of sports, athletes like Rease remind us of the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and personal growth. The world of sports is indeed evolving, but as long as there are young athletes willing to step up and embrace the challenge, there’s a bright future ahead. With the upcoming Project Play Summit scheduled for May 17-18, 2023, the conversation around youth sports is bound to keep growing stronger.