DES MOINES, Iowa — Many thought the Caitlin Clark effect would boost girls’ high school basketball enough to reverse the dropping participation rates, but a recent survey shows it’s not enough, at least not yet.

An Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) survey shows that participation in girls’ high school basketball continues to drop. Seventy percent of coaches and athletic directors report that basketball’s difficulty and interference with club volleyball are the main causes.

The survey also reveals that around 40% report girls being weeded out at too young an age, basketball’s longer season, and interference with other sports are impacting participation.

“The decline in girls’ basketball, has happened over the last few years, gradually to the point and I think this year, the thing that kind of probably brought it to a lot more people’s attention is there were some schools that were choosing to play JV only instead of a varsity team,” said IGHSAU Assistant Director.

Many thought the recent boom in popularity surrounding girls’ basketball, thanks to players like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, would turn the tide. Ross says it might, but we won’t know for a few years.

“The Caitlin Clark effect, I think you’re going to see that potentially, you know, with our younger people,” said Ross. “Those are the ones that really have identified, others probably have already made their decisions and made choices as to what they’re doing at the high school level.”

The IGHSAU has been monitoring this decrease for years and, combined with their latest survey, they hope to build a new framework to rejuvenate the program. Ross says a panel consisting of coaches, schools, and various athletic and basketball associations will come together in June to discuss future plans.