Kids First: the road to a Pedagogical Sports Environment

Research project

Building self-esteem is one of the many benefits of sports for the youth. Unfortunately, the environment where youth sports take place may not always be as safe as one would hope. Bullying and intimidation often come to play at sports associations. A safe pedagogical environment is therefore needed to guarantee and enhance the value of youth sports by reducing problem behaviour. What’s needed for sports associations to create and maintain the required safe environment so that sports help the youth flourish whilst growing up?

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The fact that this innovative project combines modern tools with conventional research tools makes it unique. In addition to conventional research tools such as data collection via questionnaires, news technology tools such as movement sensors and social media play an important role as well. Eight Soccer and Hockey Associations from four different municipalities (Zwolle, Arnhem, Utrecht and Rotterdam) with a student age range between 12 and 15 years, will take part in the project. Together with Hanze UAS, the study will be carried out by the University of Groningen, The Hague UAS, Windesheim (Zwolle), Leiden University, Muller Institute, and the Knowledge Centres NOC*NSF, KNHB and KNVB.