Challenges in Promoting Positive Youth Development through Sport

Abstract

Following previous calls regarding the importance of using sport as a platform for promoting youth psychosocial development and mental health, this case study aimed to understand the challenges faced by coaches and technical directors in the face of their individual efforts to infuse a positive youth development focus into a nationwide youth sports program in Brazil. After conducting semi-structured interviews, we conducted an inductive−deductive thematic analysis. High-order themes were organized according to the dimensions of the Framework for Planning Youth Sport Programs That Foster Psychosocial Development. The challenges faced appear to be interconnected. Since the program’s goals are not evident to the stakeholders, parents seemed not to support the absence of participation in competitive events. The lack of a structured methodology for implementing the program hinders coaches from planning and delivering practices by concurrently integrating sport skills and life skills development. Furthermore, the program presents difficulties in ensuring its effectiveness through assessment processes.