In an effort to use an evidence-based approach to understand and develop the most effective way to maximize sport's contribution to development, the UNICEF Office of Research, with the support of the Barça Foundation, conducted and published their research into the child-focused sport for development. Participation in sport is an effective tool for involving all children to develop their physical skills; improve their health as well as establish pro-social, psychological and emotional attributes while playing and having fun.
The study entitled 'Getting into the Game' draws on evidence from the global sport for development (S4D) initiatives for promoting children and youth involvement in sport. Data was collected on 'what works, how it works and how to improve S4D policy and practice.' The four areas of focus were: Education; Social Inclusion; Child Protection and Empowerment. The data was collected on content, coverage, and monitoring and evaluation strategies on existing global S4D programmes. The diverse data was analysed taking into account differing socio-cultural contexts to tease out the most effective programmes to be part of the recommendations for children across the globe.
The Report (https://www.unicef-irc.org/getting-into-the-game) summarizes the following benefits of S4D initiatives:
“S4D initiatives can increase student engagement in education, including those most at risk of leaving school: They have been shown to improve the attainment of life skills, such as empowerment, leadership skills and self-esteem, and to create better relationships with teachers and adults.
Sport can be a positive factor in children's lives: Evidence shows that well-designed S4D initiatives are improving the lives of children everywhere. Sports activities increase participation in, initiatives and services for children - including the most marginalized children.
Improve the quality of programme design: S4D programmes must be designed in line with specific objectives/strategies, such as education or empowerment. It is important to consider the context when undertaking programme design, as this generates an understanding of barriers to access and of community needs.
Provide quality training and clear standards for coaches and trainers: Coaches and trainers play a crucial role as role models in generating beneficial outcomes for children. Safeguarding children, especially the most vulnerable, in and around sports initiatives, is of immense importance and must be a priority in training of coaches and trainers.
Create a culture of positive participation: Special care should be taken to ensure sports initiatives do not reinforce negative social-cultural attitudes and norms that present a risk to children, or that undermine the goals of the initiatives, such as sports cultures that can underscore violence and power relations, inequality and exclusiveness.
Address risks and limitations: Sport is not the answer to all the issues children and young people face. Both the advantages and disadvantages of S4D must be recognized. Some evidence may even indicate child protection risks with participation in sport, or contrasting gender equity effects. Some survey data indicate that programmes which spend a greater percentage of time on sport tended to also report a higher number of children leaving the S4D programme.
Invest in evidence generation: Better research and data are needed to support programming, policy and advocacy, and it is hoped that this report summary will stimulate further efforts. There is a need to develop more robust quantitative methods and to prioritize the child's voice in evidence generation.”
The aforementioned points to important lessons for clubs, schools, national sporting organisations, ministries such as Sport and Youth Affairs; Health, Education, and Community Development and the Tobago House of Authority (THA) when they are planning to develop initiatives to encourage children and youth in sport. Importantly the approach taken must be evidence-based, strategic in design and holistic in context.
As the country responds to the reality of the Venezuelan migrants, sport offers a potential avenue for their incorporation into the social fabric of society especially as it relates to their children.
"I don't feel it is necessary to know exactly what I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning." Michel Foucault