An investigation into the sport needs and preferences of youth aged 13-18 years in a semi-rural community Research Completed

Title

An investigation into the sport needs and preferences of youth aged 13-18 years in a semi-rural community

Lead Author

Dudson, M., Cummings, G., Fraser, C.

Organisation(s)

Southern Institute of Technology

Publication Year

2012

Publisher

Southern Institute of Technology

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Abstract

Well designed, integrated, and efficiently delivered school and community sport and recreation programmes can provide a wide range of benefits including the ability to build a healthier community. In recognition of these benefits, secondary schools have a well-established tradition of providing opportunities for students to engage in social and competitive sporting pursuits. However, recent nation-wide surveys have identified a decline in student participation in sport, and indeed, in physical activity behaviour overall. As little research has been undertaken to probe the reasons for this decline, the survey reported on in this paper offers a possible starting point for understanding the specific needs and preferences of students in order to enhance the delivery of sport programmes within the school and the community. This paper describes patterns of current sport engagement, motivators and barriers to participation in sport, and sporting preferences. Several recommendations for schools, sports programme providers and future researchers in this field are made.

Keywords:

Sport engagement, Secondary schools, Semi-rural communities, Students’ sport preferences, Adolescents, Age, Education, Health, Behaviour, Physical activity, Programmes, Schools, Settings, Sports, Active Communities
 

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1703

Added

June 28, 2012