What makes sport educational?

Sport! OP! Opportunities for inclusion of vulnerable youth through sport What makes sport educational?

A clear and widely accepted premise is that sport, in itself, is not intrinsically educational, but rather only insofar as its practice is aimed towards educational purposes and this intention is applied to the different situations and circumstances that accompany this practice.

Sport’s capacity to impact people and groups is evident. However, this impact does not always have the most desirable expression. The behaviour of some sportspeople who display detrimental attitudes of violence, sexism, racism, foul play, or the use of performance-enhancing substances can hardly be taken as a role model for young sportspeople. While these behaviours are a scourge, many of the key characteristics of sport make it a very effective means for educating young people. Firstly, there are parallels between sport and real life, insofar as the goals to be achieved are dependent on the knowledge of the possibilities available, effort and collaboration with other people. Moreover, the diverse selection of sporting activities, as well as the option of playing competitively or just for fun, offer an extremely broad range of possibilities that make sport accessible to anybody. The well-being and fun that sport generates make it a motivating activity. Likewise, sport highlights the progress that comes from personal effort, as well as the risks and challenges that can be overcome, in some cases. Lastly, the disputes that can arise in sporting contexts provide an opportunity to put knowledge and skills into practice to resolve them.