Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Sport based youth development (SBYD) programs use sports to encourage the positive development of youth participants. Among their key components are 5Cs- caring, competence, connection, confidence, and character. Central to the development of these 5 areas are relationships, especially the relationship between adult staff and youth participants. Previous studies have explored all 5Cs but have not expanded upon youth participants’ perceptions of these relationships. This paper draws from data from a larger study evaluating and in school SBYD program. Participants in grades K-8 participated in focus groups gauging their perceptions of various aspects of the program. Key themes speaking to relationships were staff members cared, were welcoming, and were willing to engage with them. Participants also noted that transient volunteers enhanced their experience by exposing them to new people and improving the game experience when they were fully engaged. The results of this study encourage further exploration of the role of relationships in shaping youth participants’ experiences in such programs.