The significance of sport in youth development through youth camps in rural communities in South Africa

Abstract

There is growing concern about the future of today s youth. Concerns result from an increase in adolescent problem behaviours which are related to delinquency, drug use and alcohol abuse and also due to changing social forces, both parents working, single parent homes and increases in youth unsupervised time at home alone. Youth development is part of the government, and various other stakeholders portfolios, and priority. Sport and recreation youth camps could serve as a vehicle for youth development for young people across South Africa to come together and use the power of sport and recreation to tackle the complex issues which challenge them and explore various initiatives to overcome multiple youth challenges (SASR, 2012). The overall aim of this study was to explore the perceived contribution of sport to youth development at sport and recreation youth camps in rural communities in South Africa. A literature review in sport-for-development and youth development was used to identify and draw comparisons between good practices and sport and recreation youth camps perceived outcomes. This study used a qualitative, descriptive approach to pose the following research question: Does sport in sport and recreation youth camps contribute to the perceived personal development of rural youths in South Africa? Based on the abovementioned research question, it was hypothesised that youths perceive sport as contributing to personal development and sport and recreation youth camps reflect good organisational practices. Results of the study included perceived personal development outcomes, social development skills resulting from participating in sport and recreation youth camps and good practices for effective utilisation of sport as a vehicle to achieve youth development. Overall results obtained from the interviews revealed that sport in sport and recreation youth camps provided rural community youth with opportunity to develop personal and social skills. The conclusion of the study confirmed that youths perceive sport as contributing to personal development during sport and recreation youth camps and indicated that a number of good practices for youth development were not reflected. The study concludes with recommending that Sport and Recreation South Africa examine barriers that may unintentionally exclude individuals and groups eligible to participate in sport and recreation youth camps and developing strategies to address those barriers, develop strategic partnership with other government departments, sport organisations, NGOs and private sector to achieve desired outcomes. Implications for further study focus on sustainability of sport and recreation youth camps; support of ongoing learning and continuous programme improvement; monitoring and evaluation of sport and recreation youth camps: and quality of youth camps leadership.