7 th of July 2012 Evi Buelens Marc Theeboom (promoter) Kristine De Martelaer (promoter) Jikkemien Vertonghen (advisor) Development in youth work and sports contexts

1. Problem statement Despite policy efforts in the past – Flanders anno 2013: 1.Sports club membership of adolescents: ‘over the hill’ (Scheerder & Seghers, 2011) Significant drop out ratio’s among older youth (Vettenburg et al., 2010) A particular low level of club organized sports participation among ‘socially vulnerable’ youth (Cobbaert, 2009; Dēmos, 2010) 2.Adolescents remain underrepresented among volunteers in sports (De Martelaer et al., 2011) In particular ‘socially vulnerable youth’ 26/10/2013 Development in youth work and sports contexts Slide 2

1. Problem statement In addition: – lack of understanding regarding the impact of (organized) sports participation on youth – in terms of promotion sustainable sports participation relation to the development of personal and social competences 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contextsSlide 3

2.Gaining more insight: PhD Literature review 2 preliminary studies Study ‘hands-on experts’ Different contexts 3rd study Traditional club organized sports sector Development in youth work and sports contexts 26/10/2013 Slide 4

3. Today’s presentation: 2 preliminary studies 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contexts Slide 5 1.Street Action Stimulate (socially vulnerable) youngsters to – participate in neighbourhood sports offer – take up responsibilities in the organization of the offer 2.Kort-op-de-Bal Stimulate (socially vulnerable) youngsters to develop their competences both on a sportive as an extra- sportive level

Two preliminary studies ‘Kort- op-de-Bal’Street Action Duration (6 months) (2 years) ContextMethodology youth welfare work within a sports context ‘Model of competences’ ‘Model of competences Neighbourhood sports context Cases2 football clubs8 municipalities MethodSemi-structured interviews Focus groups Sample3 expert witnesses (guides)  2 times 8*2 organizers  2 times Sample9 youngsters  2 times Mean age: 18 years –SD : 1,58 3 focus groups participants (n=20) Mean age: 13,8 years –SD : 1,06 1 focus group ‘coaches’ (n=6) Mean age: 17,17 years –SD: 1,17 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contexts Slide 6

2 preliminary studies ‘Kort- op-de-Bal’Street Action Duration (6 months) (2 years) ContextMethodology youth welfare work within a sports context Neighbourhood sports context Cases2 football clubs8 municipalities MethodSemi-structured interviews Focus groups Sample3 expert witnesses (guides)  2 times 8*2 organizers  2 times Sample9 youngsters  2 times Mean age: 18 years –SD : 1,58 3 focus groups participants (n=20) Mean age: 13,8 years –SD : 1,06 1 focus group ‘coaches’ (n=6) Mean age: 17,17 years –SD: 1,17 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contextsSlide 8

4. Results Story of thresholds 2 studies, 2 different focuses – Street Action: recruiting and retaining – KodB: increasing commitment and responsibilities 26/10/2013 Development in youth work and sports contexts Slide 9

4.1 Findings Street Action (recruitment & retainment) Clustering (4 topics) 1.Ways to increase active involvement Increase participation: youngsters  comment Type of guidance Effective organizational forms (e.g. varied offer) Communication … 2.Complementary and expertise of the sport and social sector 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contextsSlide 10

4.1 Findings Street Action (recruitment & retainment) Clustering (4 topics) 3.Reaching socially vulnerable girls Possible entrances 4.Step to more commitment 1, 2, 3 have to be taken into account Relationship of trust Responsibility: story of stages Key figures … 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contextsSlide 11

4.2 Findings KodB (commitment & responsibility) Different thresholds – self confidence – knowledge – expectations –…–… 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contextsSlide 12

4.2 Findings KodB (commitment & responsibility) Facilitating factors – individual mentorship/guidance through a one season during program – both a focus on sport (technical/didactical) as a broader focus (pedagogical, organizational, social,..) – model: ‘making the intangible, tangible’ – offering experiences and challenges –…–… 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contextsSlide 13

5. Lessons to implement and investigate? Traditional club organized sports sector Integrated approach? Use of a model of competence? Role of guidance!? What about facilitating factors? … 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contextsSlide 14

Thank you for your attention! 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contextsSlide 15 Contact: