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
University of Sherbrooke and SIRC
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
SIRC Talks/Exposés : Tara-Leigh McHugh
- University of Alberta and SIRC
- 2019
Preliminary findings of the MATCH study: Monitoring Activities of Teenagers to Comprehend their Habits
- Sport Matters Group, University of Ottawa, Sport Canada, University of Alberta, and SIRC
- 2014
Sport participation in Canada: Evaluating measurements, and testing determinants of increased participation
- University of Toronto and SIRC
- 2014
Women’s Ice Hockey, High Performance Sport and Rural Survival in Southern Alberta
- University of Lethbridge and SIRC
- 2016
SIRC Talks: Monitoring Activities of Teenagers to Comprehend Their Habits with Mathieu Bélanger
- University of Sherbrooke and SIRC
- 2019
Project SCORE!
- Univeristy of Manitoba, University of Prince Edward Island, Queen's University, and SIRC
- 2014
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Social identity and youth development in sport
A recent study reveals how sports shape youth development, particularly for those with limited family or peer support. Having a strong social identity formed through
A recent study reveals how sports shape youth development, particularly for those with limited family or peer support. Having a strong social identity formed through sports had the greatest impact on those with fewer resources. Creating supportive, community-driven environments and training coaches to encourage personal growth and athletic success is key to maximizing their potential on and off the field.
knowledge nuggets
Prioritizing masters sport in coach education
A recent study explored coach education directors’ perspectives on supporting lifelong sport participation through adult-oriented coaching development. Findings revealed a dominant focus on youth and
A recent study explored coach education directors’ perspectives on supporting lifelong sport participation through adult-oriented coaching development. Findings revealed a dominant focus on youth and high performance coaching, despite recognizing the unique needs of adult athletes. Based on the results of this study, there is a need to integrate Masters sport coaching into coach education programs to promote lifelong sport pathways.
knowledge nuggets
Strength training for children and youth
Parents often wonder whether strength training is safe for children and adolescents. Research shows that strength training can increase muscular fitness and bone mass, motor
Parents often wonder whether strength training is safe for children and adolescents. Research shows that strength training can increase muscular fitness and bone mass, motor development, and performance if done properly. Strength training is considered appropriate for children aged 6 years and older through training strategies using body weight and simple equipment with a focus on movement quality.
knowledge nuggets
How parents can help their child cope with getting “cut”
Deselection, or being “cut” from a team, can be tough for young competitive athletes. Parents can help their child cope with being cut from a
Deselection, or being “cut” from a team, can be tough for young competitive athletes. Parents can help their child cope with being cut from a team by being positive and using the “console first, talk later” rule. Allow your child time to process their emotions for 24 to 48 hours before talking to them about it.
knowledge nuggets
Pain relief medication in elite athletes
An alarming number of elite athletes rely on pain relief medication to compete through injuries or enhance performance. Despite some caution about side effects, self-administration
An alarming number of elite athletes rely on pain relief medication to compete through injuries or enhance performance. Despite some caution about side effects, self-administration is common and can be influenced by coaches and medical staff.
knowledge nuggets
Socioeconomic status and sport participation
Socioeconomic status can greatly influence sport participation. For example, a study of more than 1000 youth showed that kids from less affluent families tried fewer
Socioeconomic status can greatly influence sport participation. For example, a study of more than 1000 youth showed that kids from less affluent families tried fewer sports, had lower rates of overall sports participation, and were less physically active. Reducing common barriers, such as providing affordable sport programs and transportation options, may help to make sport more accessible for everyone.
knowledge nuggets
Postpartum return to sport
After childbirth, elite women athletes experience many challenges returning to sport, from the uncertainty of training their “new” post-partum bodies to breastfeeding while training and
After childbirth, elite women athletes experience many challenges returning to sport, from the uncertainty of training their “new” post-partum bodies to breastfeeding while training and finding care for their babies. In this study, elite athletes offer recommendations for establishing maternity policies and developing postpartum return-to-sport guidelines to support the next generation of elite athlete mothers.
knowledge nuggets
Promoting physical activity for youth with disabilities
Youth with disabilities experience several barriers to sport participation. In a recent review of the academic research, researchers highlighted the importance of “finding the right
Youth with disabilities experience several barriers to sport participation. In a recent review of the academic research, researchers highlighted the importance of “finding the right balance” in terms of the level of challenge and supports provided. They also identified social connections, social support, and an appropriate physical environment as essential factors in finding the right balance.
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