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
Patti Millar, University of Windsor
Featured resource
University of Sherbrooke and SIRC
Featured resource
SIRC and Queen's University
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 Research Plenary: Impact of sport participation among adolescents
- University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, Deh Gáh Elementary and Secondary School, and SIRC
- 2023
Towards a Theory of Organizational Socialization in Sport
- Wilfrid Laurier University and SIRC
- 2014
SCRI Michelle Dionne – Sociocultural Barriers to Women’s Participation in Sport (Part 1)
- Toronto Metropolitan University and SIRC
- 2011
Population-specific considerations in pediatric concussion
- University of Toronto and SIRC
- 2023
Project SCORE!
- Univeristy of Manitoba, University of Prince Edward Island, Queen's University, and SIRC
- 2014
SIRCTalks/Exposés : Good parenting in youth sport
- University of Alberta and SIRC
- 2020
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Non-elite sport for mental health literacy
Organized sports have been increasingly used as a platform to promote mental health. This study found that sport-based interventions in non-elite sports, had moderate to
Organized sports have been increasingly used as a platform to promote mental health. This study found that sport-based interventions in non-elite sports, had moderate to strong positive effects on mental health literacy, including reduced stigma and increased knowledge.
knowledge nuggets
Vitamin D comparison between indoor and outdoor athletes
Vitamin D is crucial for health as it impacts bone health and immune function. Indoor elite athletes have been shown to have lower vitamin D
Vitamin D is crucial for health as it impacts bone health and immune function. Indoor elite athletes have been shown to have lower vitamin D levels compared to outdoor athletes, with nearly all indoor athletes being deficient in the vitamin.
knowledge nuggets
Effects of high intensity interval training
High intensity interval training, also known as HIIT, is a widely used form of training to improve cardiac performance. Research shows that a 5-week HIIT
High intensity interval training, also known as HIIT, is a widely used form of training to improve cardiac performance. Research shows that a 5-week HIIT program improved aerobic capacity and sport-specific skills for athletes.
knowledge nuggets
Self-esteem in sport
Self-esteem plays a crucial role in both daily life and sports. This study finds that athletes in individual sports generally exhibit higher levels of self-esteem
knowledge nuggets
Challenging the comeback effect
It was once believed that being slightly behind in a game could boost winning chances in basketball, but new research challenges this idea. Tests across
It was once believed that being slightly behind in a game could boost winning chances in basketball, but new research challenges this idea. Tests across other sports like football and rugby found no similar effect.
knowledge nuggets
Sport for stress reduction
Sport isn’t just about competition, it’s also about having fun. For adolescents, engaging in physical activity can reduce the effects of stress, especially when they
Sport isn’t just about competition, it’s also about having fun. For adolescents, engaging in physical activity can reduce the effects of stress, especially when they genuinely enjoy what they’re doing. This highlights how motivation behind physical activity influences life satisfaction and reduces stress.
knowledge nuggets
Body composition in sport
Athletes’ body composition results from a mix of genetics, sport demands, diet, and training. Metrics like fat and muscle mass play a significant role in
Athletes’ body composition results from a mix of genetics, sport demands, diet, and training. Metrics like fat and muscle mass play a significant role in athlete health and performance, influencing factors such as injury risk and recovery.
knowledge nuggets
Reasons to continue sport participation later in life
Despite the well-known benefits of sport, participation tends to decline with age. However, many older adults continue to engage in sports for reasons such as
Despite the well-known benefits of sport, participation tends to decline with age. However, many older adults continue to engage in sports for reasons such as health benefits, social connections, and a sense of achievement. To encourage greater participation among older adults, highlighting these benefits are essential.
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