Leisha Strachan

A new view: exploring positive youth development in elite sport contexts

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of the setting features within elite youth sport contexts from a coach’s perspective. Coaches are key aspects to programme delivery and in the physical, psychological and social development of youth. Coaches of elite youth sport participants in particular have the responsibility of developing talented young people and, hence, play an important role in their lives and personal development. A qualitative triangulation approach including interviews and observations was used in the data collection and in the analysis of the practices and techniques of five elite youth sport coaches. Based on these findings and by amalgamating previous knowledge, a new view emerged outlining three key elements: the existence of an appropriate training environment, the provision of opportunities for physical, personal and social skill development, and the presence of supportive interactions. These elements are discussed as a framework for promoting positive youth development within elite youth sport settings.

A grounded theory of positive youth development through sport based on results from a qualitative meta-study

ABSTRACT The overall purpose of this study was to create a model of positive youth development (PYD) through sport grounded in the extant qualitative literature. More specifically, the first objective was to review and evaluate qualitative studies of PYD in sport. The second objective was to analyze and synthesize findings from these studies. Following record identification and screening, 63 articles were retained for analysis. Meta-method analysis revealed strengths of studies were the use of multiple data collection and validity techniques, which produced high-quality data. Weaknesses were limited use of ‘named’ methodologies and inadequate reporting of sampling procedures. Philosophical perspectives were rarely reported, and theory was used sparingly. Results of an inductive meta-data analysis produced three categories: PYD climate (adult relationships, peer relationships, and parental involvement), life skills program focus (life skill building activities and transfer activities), and PYD outcomes (in personal, social, and physical domains). A model that distinguishes between implicit and explicit processes to PYD is presented.

Project SCORE! Coaches’ perceptions of an online tool to promote positive youth development in sport

Research points to the potential of youth sport as an avenue to support the growth of particular assets and outcomes. A recurring theme in this line of research is the need to train coaches to deliberately deliver themes relating to positive youth development (PYD) consistently in youth sport programs. The purpose of the study was to design and deliver a technology-based PYD program. Project SCORE! (www.projectscore.ca) is a series of 10 lessons to help coaches integrate PYD into sport. Four youth sport coaches completed the program in this first phase of this research and were interviewed. The goal of this study was to gain some insights from coaches as they completed the program. Positive comments about the program (i.e. ease of use, success of particular lessons, coach’s personal growth) and challenges regarding teaching positive skills to youth are discussed. These results helped to shape the program and make necessary changes so that it may be used for a larger research study. Other implications and future research directions are discussed.

Click! Using photo elicitation to explore youth experiences and positive youth development in sport

The purpose of the study was to use photo elicitation to explore youth experiences and positive development in sport. Participants (N = 26) involved in either a high-performance sport context or a sport camp context were recruited and focus groups were conducted using photographs taken by the participants. The photo methodology involved participants taking pictures of their experiences in their respective sport context. Two separate studies were conducted and the setting features framework was implicated in the analysis. Results point to differences in youth sport experiences between the contexts. The setting feature related to supportive relationships was more prominent in the sport camp context and the feature related to opportunities for skill building was reported more in the high-performance context. Other setting features were also implicated in the analysis and discussion. The suitability of the photo methodology is also discussed.

Factors associated with using research evidence in national sport organisations

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with the use of research evidence in Canadian National Sport Organisations (NSOs). Data were collected via individual semi-structured interviews with 21 representatives from Canadian NSOs. A qualitative description approach was used. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to an inductive-to-deductive thematic analysis. A research implementation framework (Rycroft-Malone, 2004) was used to organise inductively derived themes into the higher-order categories of evidence (use of evidence, disconnection between research and practice), context (lack of capacity, organisational structure), and facilitation (personal connections with researchers and sport scientists, formal meetings with stakeholders). Overall, NSO representatives did not have a clear understanding of evidence and lacked capacity to access and translate research. However, some context factors, along with internal and external facilitators, were in place and could be used to enhance research implementation.

PYDSportNET: A knowledge translation project bridging gaps between research and practice in youth sport

ABSTRACT Generating a common understanding of knowledge translation among stakeholders is a key issue for increasing the use of research evidence in practice. The purpose of this article is to create a better understanding of knowledge translation in youth sport by providing a framework and guidelines for facilitating knowledge translation. We present PYDSportNET, a knowledge translation project designed to enhance the use of research evidence to promote positive youth development (PYD) through sport. This project is guided by the Knowledge to Action framework, which has two components (knowledge creation and the action cycle). For the knowledge creation component, we completed a meta-synthesis and created knowledge products. For the action cycle, we completed two studies with key sport stakeholders. Simultaneously, we created a knowledge dissemination and exchange network. Having described these activities, we go on to highlight some lessons learned to date and next steps for the project.

Working with coaches and their teams in youth and collegiate sport in the USA: An interview with Dr Andy Gillham:

This interview with Dr Andy Gillham is a refreshing change as a reviewer. Learning from experiences of others is such an important part of personal development. As I read the interview, I was struck by Dr Gillham’s honest and candid replies to the questions, and I believe that there is such value in reading and learning from his stories. There were a few themes, however, that stood out for me as someone who is engaged in youth sport research.

Friend, foe, or both? A retrospective exploration of sibling relationships in elite youth sport:

With the abundance of literature focusing on parental influence in sport, it is important to identify family dynamics that extend beyond parents to include siblings. In this study, sibling influence was explored through retrospective interviews with former elite youth female athletes (N = 4) and their sibling (n = 4) of the same sex who participated in the same sport. The purpose was to discover how siblings influence high performance sport participation. Two categories emerged from the data: positive experiences participating in the same sport (e.g. growth of relationship, development of understanding) and negative experiences participating in the same sport (e.g. sibling competition, emotional response). The participants’ descriptions coincide with observational learning and both deidentification and divergence processes. The data adds to the probable sibling experiences proposed in the Developmental Model of Sport Participation and provides insight on managing sibling relations in sport. Implications and practical applications of these findings are discussed.

Enhancing Coach-Parent Relationships in Youth Sports: Increasing Harmony and Minimizing Hassle: A Commentary

INTRODUCTION Coaches make a great impact on the lives of youth and are crucial agents in development [1]. The article by Frank Smoll and his colleagues provides an overview of some concerns within youth sport and offers practical suggestions to help coaches navigate the ‘athletic triangle’. This commentary will address the following two sections of the original article: i) developmental versus professional models of sport; and ii) objectives of youth sport.