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Overview

Youth participation

Between the ages of 13 to 17 years a significant number of young people stop playing organised sport. This includes in secondary schools.

Strategies to engage youth in sport

Below is a summary of strategies that coaches, teachers and sporting organisations can use to engage disengaged and inactive students and make sport more enjoyable for young people overall.

More detail on each of the strategies can be found in the full report.

Program delivery

Allow youth to nominate and participate with friends

Hold programs during the school day, scheduled during class time

1 session per week minimum, with a total of 5-8 sessions

Session length of 50-70 minutes

Deliverer-to-person ratio of 1:15 for low skilled group

Equipment to person ratio of 1:1

Define optimum activity and group sizes and stick to it, or plan adapted activities

Use more body language and less verbal commands with CALD youth

Program deliverer

Allow youth to nominate and participate with friends

Hold programs during the school day, scheduled during class time

1 session per week minimum, with a total of 5-8 sessions

Session length of 50-70 minutes

Deliverer-to-person ratio of 1:15 for low skilled group

Equipment to person ratio of 1:1

Program design

Use the initial activity to build rapport, confidence and assess the person’s skill

Use a fun game-based format, not drills

Use a game sense approach

Provide clear instructions of rules, skills and techniques

Match level of physical exertion to student capabilities

Minimise idel time between activities

Give shorter time for basic skills and circuits longer time for free-flowing games

Program flexible activities that can adapt to diverse youth groups

Moderate competition, ensuring it is inclusive

Group youth by skill level

Utilise team activities

Use several diverse contact points to recruit students to sport programs

Program features

Gym programs can build confidence for sport

Bridging and wellness programs can build strength and body confidence

Try fitness and stress relief programs to provide physical.mental wellbeing

Allow youth to play and chose music for fun or as a reward

Beat the weather by planning modified activities for the classroom

Use technology i.e. pedometers, to measure individual and group improvement

Don’t be afraid to include contact in sport - youth prefer it

Inject novelty, i.e. gala days, to excite and motivate youth

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