Community Sport
Community sport plays a vital role in bringing people together, promoting physical health, and fostering social connections. Explore resources that support local programs, and encourage participation across all ages and abilities.
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Top 10 resources
- Policy Framework for Recreation in Canada
- Long Term Athlete Development Model
- SIRCuit Article: Leveling the playing field: Accessibility in youth basketball
- SIRC Article: Schools play a key role in supporting youth physical activity
- SIRCuit Article: Taking Action: Community Sport Organizations and Social Responsibility
- SCRI Panel: Trending topics in youth sport
- SIRCuit Article Building Capacity in Community Sport Organizations
- SIRCuit Article: Giving Due Deliberation to Masters Athletes: The Time has Come
- Power of Sport: The True Sport Report 2022
- SCRI Keynote: Punching above our weight – The balance is better journey of culture change in New Zealand Aotearoa
Featured resource
SIRC and Queen's University
Featured resource
Patti Millar, University of Windsor
Featured resource
University of Sherbrooke and SIRC
Quick Facts
What is community sport?
Community sport refers to organized physical activities that take place within a local community and are accessible to people of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds. These activities are typically non-competitive or recreational and are designed to promote health, social interaction, and community engagement.
They are often organized by local clubs, schools, recreational centers, or community groups and can include a wide range of activities such as youth soccer leagues, adult basketball games, swimming lessons, and fitness classes. The focus is on participation, enjoyment, and fostering a sense of belonging within the community.
What are the benefits of participating in community sport?
The benefits that contribute to individual well-being, social cohesion, and overall community health include:
- Physical Health: Can improve cardiovascular health, enhances strength and endurance, and helps in maintaining a healthy weight.
- Mental Health: Can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and provide an opportunity for social interaction, which can improve mental well-being.
- Social Inclusion: Can foster a sense of belonging and inclusion by bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, building relationships and strengthening community bonds.
- Skill Development: Helps individuals develop physical skills, teamwork, leadership, and discipline, which can be beneficial in other areas of life.
- Youth Development: For young people, it can offer an outlet for energy, teaching important life skills, and providing positive role models.
- Community Engagement: Events and activities encourage volunteerism, local pride, and community spirit, contributing to a more connected and supportive community.
- Economic Benefits: Can boost local economies by attracting visitors, creating jobs, and promoting local businesses through events and activities.
How does community sport support youth development?
It plays a vital role in youth development by providing a structured environment for learning teamwork, discipline, leadership, and resilience. It also promotes healthy lifestyles and positive social interactions. Through regular participation, young people gain valuable life skills, build self-esteem, and develop a strong sense of community, which contributes to their overall growth and future success.
What is the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model?
The Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) framework is designed to guide the development of athletes from early childhood through to adulthood. It outlines specific stages to optimize training, competition, and recovery according to the age and development of the athlete. The stages are:
- Active Start
- FUNdamentals
- Learn to Train
- Train to Train
- Train to Compete
- Train to Win
- Active for Life
The LTAD ensures that athletes develop their skills and physical abilities at the appropriate pace, reducing the risk of burnout and injury. By emphasizing age-appropriate development and long-term progression, the LTAD model supports sustainable growth and peak performance in sports.
Video Resources
Population-specific considerations in pediatric concussion
- University of Toronto and SIRC
- 2023
Motivational characteristics of adolescents who are dedicated to competitive sporting practices: Differences based on the type of sport and intensity of the practice
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and SIRC
- 2014
Alexandra Arellano
- University of Ottawa, McGill University, University of Alberta, Sport Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, and SIRC
- 2015
SCRI: Infrastructure & Expertise A model to investigate effective training through LTAD (Part 1)
- Brock University and SIRC
- 2011
Exploring Social Support, Sport Participation, and Rural Women’s Health Using Photovoice
- Western University, University of Manitoba, Dalhousie University, University of Waterloo, and SIRC
- 2013
Preliminary findings of the MATCH study: Monitoring Activities of Teenagers to Comprehend their Habits
- University of Sherbrooke and SIRC
- 2013
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Sport participation for individuals with disabilities
Sports offer numerous physical and mental health benefits for individuals with disabilities; however, many remain inactive despite these advantages. The health benefits of sports participation
Sports offer numerous physical and mental health benefits for individuals with disabilities; however, many remain inactive despite these advantages. The health benefits of sports participation across various disability groups include socialization opportunities and enjoyment, highlighting the positive aspects of sports participation.
knowledge nuggets
Perfectionism in high performance athletes
Many high-performance athletes scrutinize their own performances and often aim for perfection. A recent study delved into how perfectionistic athletes view success and failure in
Many high-performance athletes scrutinize their own performances and often aim for perfection. A recent study delved into how perfectionistic athletes view success and failure in sports. Through interviews and season-long diaries, researchers found that an athlete’s ability to deal with failure depended on the type of perfectionism they exhibited.
knowledge nuggets
Strength training for injury prevention
In soccer, preventing injuries is crucial for player performance and long-term health. Current evidence supports strength training, including methods like eccentric and flywheel training, to
In soccer, preventing injuries is crucial for player performance and long-term health. Current evidence supports strength training, including methods like eccentric and flywheel training, to reduce injury risks effectively.
knowledge nuggets
Gender equity for masters athletes
Masters athletes are often seen as examples of healthy aging, but research from the Australian Masters Games, drawing over 5000 participants, highlights class and gender
Masters athletes are often seen as examples of healthy aging, but research from the Australian Masters Games, drawing over 5000 participants, highlights class and gender inequalities that are leaving some people out. While celebrating the accomplishments of masters athletes, acknowledging varied aging experiences and providing equitable opportunities for everyone to participate are crucial.
knowledge nuggets
Keto diets for elite endurance athletes
Ketogenic diets are gaining attention in elite endurance sports for their ability to boost fat burning, potentially transforming performance. However, concerns linger about their impact
Ketogenic diets are gaining attention in elite endurance sports for their ability to boost fat burning, potentially transforming performance. However, concerns linger about their impact on glycogen use and high-intensity exercise, with mixed results among athletes.
knowledge nuggets
Addressing mental health in elite youth athletes
A recent review shows that research on elite youth athletes often focuses on disordered eating, anxiety and depression and that risk factors for mental health
A recent review shows that research on elite youth athletes often focuses on disordered eating, anxiety and depression and that risk factors for mental health issues include gender, athlete status, and social relationships with coaches, parents and guardians, and peers. These findings highlight the pressing need for effective prevention measures to safeguard the mental health of elite youth athletes.
knowledge nuggets
Sleep quality and sport performance
Elite athletes and coaches view sleep as essential for optimal performance and recovery, but sleep quality is often compromised by various factors. Sleep quality can
Elite athletes and coaches view sleep as essential for optimal performance and recovery, but sleep quality is often compromised by various factors. Sleep quality can affect athletic performance and recovery, with the impact varying based on sport type and individual needs.
knowledge nuggets
Positive effects of social support on stress adaptation
Stress can significantly impact an athlete’s well-being and sport performance, but social support from teammates, coaches, and support staff can positively influence how athletes perceive
Stress can significantly impact an athlete’s well-being and sport performance, but social support from teammates, coaches, and support staff can positively influence how athletes perceive and adapt to stress. Recent research shows that for social support to produce positive effects, having a shared social identity and the knowledge and expertise to provide sufficient support is important.
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