Evaluation of a sport-based youth development programme for refugees

Abstract

Various methods have been used to help vulnerable populations, including sport and physical recreation. This study was an initial evaluation of a sport and physical recreation programme for refugee youth based on the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) Model. The purpose was to assess the participants’ perceptions and experiences in this programme, with the conceptual framework for acculturation serving as the theoretical background. Sixteen refugee youth participated in semi-structured interviews, with hierarchical content analysis and consensual validation procedures used for data analysis. The interviews demonstrated the participants’ positive experiences in the programme, including general enjoyment, experiencing and learning new sports, and feeling a sense of belonging. The participants also described the TPSR concepts of respect, teamwork, and leadership, along with transference of these concepts into their everyday lives. This highlights the need for such programmes to aid in the resettlement and acculturation of young refugees into a new society.