1. 7 th of July 2012 Evi Buelens Marc Theeboom (promoter) Kristine De Martelaer (promoter) Jikkemien Vertonghen (advisor) Development in youth work and sports contexts

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Two preliminary studies ‘Kort- op-de-Bal’Street Action Duration2012-2013 (6 months)2012-2013 (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

8. 2 preliminary studies ‘Kort- op-de-Bal’Street Action Duration2012-2013 (6 months)2012-2013 (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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Thank you for your attention! 26/10/2013Development in youth work and sports contextsSlide 15 Contact: evi.buelens@vub.ac.be