Scoreless but still scoring: A population-based observational study of removing league tables and playoffs in...

The removal of league standings and playoffs (LSPO) in children's sports has sparked debate. Proponents argue it reduces performance pressure and supports long-term participation, while critics claim it may diminish motivation and enjoyment. Despite this, limited research has quantitatively assessed LSPO's impact on participation. This study examines whether removing LSPO was associated with participation in school-class football among children aged 7-12. Using a natural experiment design, we analyzed registry data spanning twelve years (excluding COVID-19 years), covering over 30,000 participants. Participation trends before and after the 2017 policy change were analyzed using GLMs and segmented regression, by gender and population proportion. Results revealed no significant level or trend changes in participation rates relative to the population after the removal of the LSPO. Girls' participation was stable across the study period, while boys showed a pre-existing upward trend that persisted after the rule change. These findings suggest that LSPO may not be a key factor associated with participation. Instead, existing trends and broader contextual factors likely play a more central role in shaping children's engagement in sport.