1. SPORT, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND YOUNG PEOPLE

2. In the past, being young has been associated with being naturally active and participating in regular physical activity as part of daily life. The current reality is something different. Those sedentary adolescent youth are at increased risk of negative health consequences… - coronary heart disease - compromised bone health - impaired psychological well-being - overweight/obese - lifelong low activity patterns

3. New Zealand research shows the main motivators for keeping youth in sport are: - team - competition - mastery of skills - extrinsic rewards - fitness and being active While New Zealanders are passionate about sport, this does not always translate into being actively involved. Although sport is important to promote, there is a need to promote a wide-range of physical activity options in a variety of settings that will appeal to the majority of adolescents.

4. Benefits of sport and physical activity for young people - Weight control - Psychological well-being (e.g.- greater opportunity for social interaction and improvements in self-esteem) - Additional benefits (e.g.- improved academic achievement, low drug use) - Negative health outcomes (e.g.- overuse injuries, ligament/muscle injuries, exercise-induced sudden cardiac death) - Delaying the onset of chronic disease (e.g.- Coronary heart disease, bone health) - Lifelong maintenance of physical activity

5. Motivators for physical activity Determining the factors that motivate young people to participate in sport and physical activity is crucial when planning intervention programmes designed to promote activity to youth. A large body of literature exists on participation motives for specific sports and the main motives included: - Social benefits (e.g., fun, enjoyment, socialising with friends) - Psychological enhancement (e.g., sense of achievement, pride) - Physical sensation (e.g., enhanced sleep) - Sports performance - Cognitive benefits (e.g., clears mind and thinking, academic achievement)

6. In 2005, SPARC investigated the attitudes, barriers and motivators for sport participation of New Zealand 11 to 14 year olds. Barriers were classified as either functional or emotive. Functional barriers identified were aspects of life and the environment that youth perceived they have little or no control over (e.g., financial constraints). Emotive barriers revolved around their feelings of low self-confidence, of not being good enough, and the fear of gaining unwanted attention associated with body image.

7. Overview of barriers to participating in sport as identified in the SPARC Report – Functional barriers - Priority for educational achievement - Lack of time - Lack of access (financial/logistical/school related) - Physical - Lack of awareness Emotive barriers - Low self-confidence - Body image/obesity - Lack of perceived opportunity to demonstrate skills - Lack of support from family - Peers - Perceived lack of future