Growing up in the Kayamandi Township: I. The role of sport in helping young people overcome challenges within their community

Abstract

While the growth of the sport-for-development movement has coincided with the establishment of a number of sport-for-development organisations, many of these organisations have been top-down development projects or outside-in globalisation projects, which are not as effective as they could be. In an effort to address the gap in the literature on inside-up sport-for-development programmes, this study focused on one specific community in South Africa that is being served by various sport programmes. Interviews were conducted with 40 participants, divided into three sub-groups: community members, coaches and athletes. The methodological framework of the study, a description of the community and the role of sport in the community are described in detail. Additionally, the barriers that prevent young people from participating in sport are addressed, along with a look at how sport can help young people overcome the challenges of growing up in this community. The practical implications of these findings are also addressed, with a focus on how to support existing sport programmes in these communities, develop coaching education programmes to better serve young athletes and design and implement new sport programmes within similar communities.

Keywords:

• international
• underserved children
• underserved youth
• sport
• South Africa

Acknowledgement

Funding for this study was provided by the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University.

Notes

1. The three separate interview guides are available upon request from the first author.

2. Complete tables of the results of all analyses are available upon request from the first author.