It is the responsibility of adults to create space for us children and young people in sports!
You adults in leadership roles within club life can make a big difference for us children and young people participating in sports. Sometimes we feel forgotten, even though sports are about us. Our opinions are not always taken seriously, we are not included – but we are capable of more than you think. Strengthening the participation of children and young people is a shared responsibility. It takes time to embed throughout the entire club, but it is important work. It is the adults’ task to create space for us – and when participation is prioritized at all levels, things happen.
What does participation actually mean?
For us children and young people, participation means being able to express our opinions, be listened to, and have an influence. It’s not about deciding everything, but about being involved in making decisions on matters that concern us – together with other children, young people, and adults.
The right to say yes—and no
We have the right to decline, but need to be given the chance to be asked again and again. All children and young people need different ways to express themselves – in groups, individually, through play, or writing.
Create space for the voices of children and young people
It is not always easy for us to make our voices heard. Annual and board meetings are important, but can be difficult to understand and participate in. Here, you in club leadership roles can make a difference by:
- Consider us children and youth in all decisions and ask for our opinions.
Simplified Child Impact Assessment >> - Grant us a seat on the board by having a representative advocate for our perspective in all matters.
Role Description >> - Scheduling board meetings or other gatherings near our training sessions.
Meet us where we are >> - Review statutes and policies to ensure everyone can understand their context.
Easy-to-Read Association Documents >> - Create safe meeting places where our voices can be heard.
Meeting Places for Children and Youth >>
Why is it important to increase children’s and young people’s participation?
A democratic right!
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is Swedish law, and the Swedish Sports Confederation therefore considers the participation of children and youth a clearly prioritized and central issue within sports.
Leads to improved athletic performance
Participation strengthens the ability to understand and take responsibility for one's own learning. When you are involved in influencing things, self-awareness, motivation, and the ability to become your own best coach develop.
Creates a desire to continue with sports longer
When sports are adapted to the practitioner's needs, the motivation to continue playing and to get involved as a leader, referee, or in the club's activities increases.
Counteracts a culture of silence
Increased participation leads to a reduced risk of a culture of silence. When the voices of children and youth are taken seriously, it becomes easier to speak up and seek support. This can be vital for preventing and stopping, for example, abuse.
Increases engagement
Participation creates engagement and makes more people want to contribute. The more people who share the volunteer responsibility within club sports, the more sustainable our clubs become.
Social sustainability
Social sustainability provides economic benefits—clubs that work with participation and safety become more attractive to sponsors and find it easier to obtain support and grants.
Give children and young people a voice—and strengthen the whole club
Watch this short educational film to gain more knowledge about the participation of children and youth in sports! Youth participation is a priority area within the sporting community.
After watching the film, there are questions available for download to initiate dialogue with your club colleagues on this topic.
Allocate 15 minutes at your next board meeting to get started!
Meeting Places
For us to want and dare to make our voices heard, we need meeting places that are safe, fun, and adapted for us. Therefore, we have been involved in creating new forums where we participate in decisions that affect us.
We also want existing meetings to be easier to understand and more playful. Be inspired by the importance of play>>for participation. Try an activity at your next board meeting and see what it can do for creativity and engagement!
Mapping and Working Methods
To create the conditions for children’s and young people’s participation in sport, there are many effective approaches. Under “Method Bank – Working Methods”, you will find materials and knowledge to draw inspiration from in order to strengthen children’s and young people’s participation at different levels within the club. Here you can read the survey that forms the basis for the materials developed on this website.
The importance of pizza for participation!
The importance of pizza for participation!
Meet us where we are – and invite us to:
- Pizza night
- Coffee/snack after training
- Modify a training session – e.g., ice cream and triathlon
- Breakfast at the sports hall before school
- Meet 10 minutes before training
- Kick-off and end-of-season celebrations >>
“Without dialogue – no democracy”
Create meetings in safe environments where children and young people feel confident and are creative enough to express their opinions, even when they challenge the norm. With attentive and engaged adults present, great opportunities are created to gain insight into children’s and young people’s thoughts about their sports activities.
The Democracy Path
Here you can get an overview of how to work structured with youth participation in sports based on different ages.
See this as inspiration, not a definitive answer. Use what suits your engagement and the sports club you represent!
