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
The Connection Between Skill Proficiency and Concussions – Aaron Geisler, Football Canada
- Football Canada and SIRC
- 2021
Fostering a Sport Participation Legacy: The Importance of a Sport Facility
- University of Waterloo, University of Windsor, and SIRC
- 2022
Trick down effect? Exploring the influence of the Olympic Games on preschooler development and sport participation (part 1)
- York University, University of Toronto, and SIRC
- 2014
Sport Participation for Youth with Intellectual Disability (SPY-ID)
- York University and SIRC
- 2014
Youth Hockey and Physical Literacy: observation of a cohort of novice players
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Hockey Canada, Hockey Quebec, and SIRC
- 2022
Leveraging Parasport Events for Sustainable Community Participation
- Western University, Mount Royal University, University of West Scotland, and SIRC
- 2013
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Postpartum guidelines for recreational athletes
Recent updates to exercise guidelines now include recreational athletes during pregnancy and postpartum, but guidance on safe training is limited. A study of recreational active
Recent updates to exercise guidelines now include recreational athletes during pregnancy and postpartum, but guidance on safe training is limited. A study of recreational active women who followed a rehabilitation program focused on core and pelvic floor strength showed significant improvements in pain, urinary dysfunction, and pelvic floor strength, showing the benefits of physical therapy for active women during pregnancy.
knowledge nuggets
Supporting Indigenous athletes
Many Indigenous athletes move away from home to pursue competitive sport opportunities. This can come with many challenges including culture shock and disconnection from home.
Many Indigenous athletes move away from home to pursue competitive sport opportunities. This can come with many challenges including culture shock and disconnection from home. Indigenous-engaged research shows that building a social support network that spans athletes’ home and host communities and maintaining a connection to culture are important ways to foster positive experiences for relocated athletes.
knowledge nuggets
Sport passion in athletes
An athlete’s level of commitment and passion can be influenced by many factors. National-level athletes have been shown to exhibit more obsessive passion than non-national
An athlete’s level of commitment and passion can be influenced by many factors. National-level athletes have been shown to exhibit more obsessive passion than non-national athletes. Additionally, a strong coach-athlete relationship is positively linked to higher levels of sport passion.
knowledge nuggets
Training models for extended career athletes
Elite athletes are competing at older ages, but advancing age can challenge peak performance. A training model for extended-career athletes should balance age-related decline with
Elite athletes are competing at older ages, but advancing age can challenge peak performance. A training model for extended-career athletes should balance age-related decline with expertise, incorporating strength training, individualized load management, injury prevention, and tailored recovery protocols. Monitoring and avoiding large training load peaks are essential for sustaining performance and promoting long-term health.
knowledge nuggets
Inequities impacting youth sport participation
Cost is a significant barrier to sport participation, and the data shows it. A recent study from the US showed that students from affluent families
Cost is a significant barrier to sport participation, and the data shows it. A recent study from the US showed that students from affluent families had 3 times higher odds of meeting physical activity recommendations (middle schoolers) and ever participating in sports (high schoolers) than students from the least affluent families. Collaboration, funding, and policy support are needed to make sport affordable and accessible for all.
knowledge nuggets
Building partnerships for better public sports infrastructure
Recent research highlights the importance of collaboration in managing public recreational and sports infrastructure. By studying partnerships between the City of Montreal and 7 local
Recent research highlights the importance of collaboration in managing public recreational and sports infrastructure. By studying partnerships between the City of Montreal and 7 local organizations, the authors identified several key factors for success, including trust, mutual understanding, and clear agreements. Effective partnerships can foster healthier communities by encouraging physical activity through well-coordinated public spaces.
knowledge nuggets
Reducing anxiety in older adults
The mental health benefits of sports for children are frequently discussed, but what about the benefits for older adults? A recent review found that sport
The mental health benefits of sports for children are frequently discussed, but what about the benefits for older adults? A recent review found that sport participation can significantly reduce anxiety levels in older adults, showing the importance of providing older adults with opportunities to get involved in sport.
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.
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