Practical Considerations on Sport in Education
Leadership in sport
Evidence shows that the real benefits of sport involvement derive from the positive aspects that are released in children and youth who have experienced appropriate forms of leadership.
Efforts should be concentrated towards leadership training, the processes of training both professionals and volunteers who are likely to lead such programmes.
Coaches and physical educators have the potential to provide strong leadership if they fully activate this aspect of their work with children and young people. This is illustrated by research that conclude martial arts taught with a philosophy of respect, patience, responsibility and honour were related to decreased delinquency, when compared to martial arts taught with a focus on free sparring and self-defence.
Positive social interaction between peers also links strongly with the sporting and educational outcomes and as such, peer educators and leaders also require quality training and support.
Efforts should be concentrated towards leadership training, the processes of training both professionals and volunteers who are likely to lead such programmes.
Coaches and physical educators have the potential to provide strong leadership if they fully activate this aspect of their work with children and young people. This is illustrated by research that conclude martial arts taught with a philosophy of respect, patience, responsibility and honour were related to decreased delinquency, when compared to martial arts taught with a focus on free sparring and self-defence.
Positive social interaction between peers also links strongly with the sporting and educational outcomes and as such, peer educators and leaders also require quality training and support.
Attitudes towards school
There is growing interest among the relevant Sport & Development actors in the relationship between sport and attitudes towards school among children and young people. A number of studies show a positive relationship between pupil attendance and the introduction of sports activities (i.e. there is an increase of children and young people in school where sports activities have been introduced).
There is also evidence that among those at risk of being excluded from school, an increase in the availability of sports activities would make the prospect of attending school more appealing. In this sense, sports activities in schools act as a gateway (if presented in appropriate ways) to drawing children and young people towards attending school.
On the other hand, research has shown that excessive and intensive training for competitive youth sport can act as an obstacle to fulfilling educational and academic pursuits among young athletes who compete in higher-level sports competitions.
Cases in which adults (including sports coaches and even parents) push young athletes to abandon their studies to focus almost full-time on their sport pursuits are prevalent in competitive youth sports. The distinction between recreational and competitive youth sport and physical activity must be drawn to understand the extent to which sport acts as a magnet or a repellent to school.
There is also evidence that among those at risk of being excluded from school, an increase in the availability of sports activities would make the prospect of attending school more appealing. In this sense, sports activities in schools act as a gateway (if presented in appropriate ways) to drawing children and young people towards attending school.
On the other hand, research has shown that excessive and intensive training for competitive youth sport can act as an obstacle to fulfilling educational and academic pursuits among young athletes who compete in higher-level sports competitions.
Cases in which adults (including sports coaches and even parents) push young athletes to abandon their studies to focus almost full-time on their sport pursuits are prevalent in competitive youth sports. The distinction between recreational and competitive youth sport and physical activity must be drawn to understand the extent to which sport acts as a magnet or a repellent to school.
