Discovering the Perceived Social Benefits of Young Peoples’ Involvement in Juvenile Sports Clubs Including Sports Clubs’ Friends and Club Involvement as Perceived by Youth Members

Abstract

By young people participating in sport they are experiencing many holistic benefits that are not only physical in nature but also beneficial to their social lives. For almost a century and a half young Irish sports participants have had the opportunity to participate in their native team games of hurling, camogie, and Gaelic football. Although volunteer-led and unprofessional sports for young and adult athletes alike, their governing bodies provide young people with an informal yet organised avenue to experience real-life socialisation with their peers and adult leaders. This paper seeks to establish the perceived social benefits of young peoples’ involvement in juvenile sports clubs including sports clubs’ friends and club involvement as perceived by youth members. As a result of this research, it is obvious that the respondents of this study (who identify as females and males only between the ages of 11 and 18 years of age) feel that having fun, being friends, and having respect for teammates are a social benefit. Adopting these practices will also help with sports success. Another notable outcome of this study showed that the young people researched could be good friends and would be dependable for the respondents if required by them in their lives. They felt happy because of the socialisation that they were experiencing as a result of being involved in their sporting clubs and perceived those in their social network enhanced their lives.