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.

Providing new knowledge about potential harm to children in the setting of organised sport will inform all those tasked with keeping children safe in sport, those involved with sport policy and practice and sport's governing bodies.

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.

These include disrespectful and bullying treatment, body image issues, issues of self esteem and self confidence, physical abuse and child sexual abuse.