Young athletes social networks in different sporting contexts

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to determine which “pathway” the athlete follows and how outcomes (positive or negative) are acquired. The results demonstrate that careful attention must be made to the interpersonal network of relations, independent of sport settings. The youth athletes in the professional club reveal a tendency to aspire for professionalization as they consistently show higher achievement goal perspectives and a clear notion of sport career. To date, little work has been done to ascertain what characteristics or features of the youth sport environment combine to produce either a positive or negative experience. More disrupt behaviour was accounted for in the SOC, meaning less social structure and more aggressive playing. Although participation is often linked with developmental benefits, mere participation does not confer benefits. The study stresses the importance to develop an understanding of the contextual factors or features of specialized youth sport environment(s) that are having positive impacts on youth growth, development and long-term commitment to sport. The findings of the current study provide support for the fact that it is not so much the “type” of sport trajectory that youth participate in, but what is happening in those environments that is important.