Children and organised sport

Much has been written and is known about the benefits to children of participating in sport. Less is known or understood about potential risks faced by children in these settings. Before and after the London Olympics in 2012, there is likely to be a large number of children attracted into sport in the UK. Providing new knowledge about potential harm to children in these settings will inform sport governing bodies, and all those in sport policy and practice tasked with keeping children safe in sport.

The book draws on extensive research conducted by the authors and based on the views of more than 6,000 young people across the UK. The survey and follow-up interviews asked young people to reflect on their experiences of sport as children. It reports in detail their positive and negative experiences of sport participation in the UK, and provides information about the range of harms faced by children in these settings. This includes disrespectful and bullying treatment, body image issues, issues of self-esteem and self-confidence, physical abuse and child sexual abuse. --Book Jacket.