Camden New Journal - Sports: Match Point

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden Sports - MATCH POINT by KAZZ BAILEY
Published: 2 July 2009

Kazz Bailey is a senior youth worker

Why sport is essential to our young people

WHY is sport important? As a youth worker who has organised football for a number of years, I see a clear difference in the development of young people who do and don’t take part in organised sporting activity. Those that do have a higher level of commitment, better communication and are more socially adept, and less likely to take part in anti-social behaviour.
Football in particular has been a powerful tool in healing divides – almost as if colour, class, religion or lack of designer clothes mean nothing on the pitch.
Research has found conclusive evidence that sport makes a big contribution to behaviour, attitudes to learning, attendance, health and standards of leadership.
I have around 50 young people taking part in the Regent’s Park League and they find a huge amount of pride and self-esteem in what they achieve there. This league has historically aided the development of young referees, managers and coaches: young people who want to make a positive contribution to society and choose to give something back rather than add to the already bad statistics and press that demonise our children.
The league’s funding is now under threat. Sometimes councils need to make cuts. But to cut this will leave a huge hole in the lives of countless children who will have little to do on a Saturday morning.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: