Youth Sports: participation, trainability and readiness

Participation in sports is a major feature of daily living for children and adolescents in many countries of the world. Structures of organized programs vary within and among countries. Likewise, sport offerings and values attached to these sports vary with cultural context. Sport is also a primary source of physical activity for many children and adolescents, and is an arena in which personal and inter-personal values and behaviors are developed and nurtured. Key players in these important functions of sport are peers, coaches and parents. The volume is aimed primarily for students of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, coaches, trainers, parents and others involved in youth sport programs and in the preparation of young athletes . The content s have application to a variety of cultural contexts given the near universality of sport for youth throughout the world. The editors hope that the contributions which comprise this volume will serve to enhance the sport experiences of youth, minimize potential risks , and maximize potential benefits by educating adults who work with them in the context of sport .