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
University of Sherbrooke and SIRC
Featured resource
SIRC and Queen's University
Featured resource
Patti Millar, University of Windsor
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
SCRI: Infrastructure & Expertise A model to investigate effective training through LTAD (Part 2)
- Brock University and SIRC
- 2011
Leisha Strachan – Plenary Video Presentation – Cultural relevancy and positive youth development
- Leisha Strachan
- 2018
The Role of Growth and Maturation on Sports Participation
- University of Saskatchewan and SIRC
- 2016
Fostering a Sport Participation Legacy: The Importance of a Sport Facility
- University of Waterloo, University of Windsor, and SIRC
- 2022
Defining adolescent patterns of sport participation
- Université de Sherbrooke, Impacts Laboratory, and SIRC
- 2022
Effects of Response Strategy Based on Understanding of the Game, Tactical Knowledge and Performance in Team Sports
- Laval University and SIRC
- 2014
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Lifestyle sports and positive development
Many lifestyle sports like climbing, parkour, and surfing can inspire joy, creativity, and connection, helping young people thrive. This study reveals how these dynamic activities
Many lifestyle sports like climbing, parkour, and surfing can inspire joy, creativity, and connection, helping young people thrive. This study reveals how these dynamic activities foster mental well-being, social bonds, and holistic personal development.
knowledge nuggets
Girls participation in traditionally male dominated sport
With more women participating in sport globally, traditionally male dominated sports like football and cricket are being redefined as more young girls step up to
With more women participating in sport globally, traditionally male dominated sports like football and cricket are being redefined as more young girls step up to play. This study uncovers their challenges with gender stereotypes that Australian girls face and highlights the crucial role of mentors and social support in breaking barriers and reshaping social norms.
knowledge nuggets
Youth athlete identity
Young athletes’ connection to their sport shapes their identity, mental health, and resilience. Athletic identity peaks in adolescence, offering protection against burnout but may also
Young athletes’ connection to their sport shapes their identity, mental health, and resilience. Athletic identity peaks in adolescence, offering protection against burnout but may also increase risks like depression after injury.
knowledge nuggets
Sport programs limiting crime
Can sports really help mitigate crime? This study shows that sports programs significantly reduce aggression and antisocial behaviour while boosting self-esteem and mental wellbeing, highlighting
Can sports really help mitigate crime? This study shows that sports programs significantly reduce aggression and antisocial behaviour while boosting self-esteem and mental wellbeing, highlighting their potential as an effective tool for crime prevention.
knowledge nuggets
Optimism, mindfulness, and enhanced performance
Traits like optimism, pessimism, and mindfulness impact athletes’ performance and well-being. While no age, gender, sport type, or education differences were found in these traits
Traits like optimism, pessimism, and mindfulness impact athletes’ performance and well-being. While no age, gender, sport type, or education differences were found in these traits in a recently published study, optimism was linked to higher levels of mindfulness.
knowledge nuggets
Early sport participation boosts kids’ wellbeing and academic success
Participating in organized sport during early childhood can boost Canadian students’ mental well-being and academic success. A study of nearly 2,000 children in Quebec found
Participating in organized sport during early childhood can boost Canadian students’ mental well-being and academic success. A study of nearly 2,000 children in Quebec found that regular physical activity from ages 6 to 10 led to better emotional health, school performance, and healthier lifestyle choices by adolescence. Early involvement in sport fosters long-term development and positive outcomes.
knowledge nuggets
Youth sport engagement through participant driven events
Sport events often focus on adult audiences, potentially overlooking opportunities to engage youth. Participant driven events and smaller community competitions have shown greater promise in
Sport events often focus on adult audiences, potentially overlooking opportunities to engage youth. Participant driven events and smaller community competitions have shown greater promise in fostering long-term involvement in physical activities for youth.
knowledge nuggets
Types of recovery in sport
Curious about different recovery methods? In a study with CrossFit athletes, researchers found that while electrical muscle stimulation had a slight edge in speeding up
Curious about different recovery methods? In a study with CrossFit athletes, researchers found that while electrical muscle stimulation had a slight edge in speeding up recovery, the methods tested, electrical muscle stimulation, light exercise, and total rest, were similar in their effectiveness.
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