Approaches to Competition: Research
The Youth Sport Trust (YST) works with schools, clubs, and families to remove barriers that cause negative experiences in sport. Via the School Games, we aim to make sure youth sport in the UK is inclusive, accessible, and fun for all.
Through the Girls Active programme, we learned that too much focus on competition can put some young people off taking part. This insight led YST's Research and Insight team to explore alternative competition formats through desk research.
Building on this, and following the recommendations from the 2016 School Games review, YST (with funding from Sport England National Lottery) launched a pilot project through the School Games Organiser network. The goal was simple: to test new formats that could increase participation in sport and physical activity.
The 2016 review recommended that School Games formats, guidance, and training be refreshed to:
- build competence
- promote enjoyment for all abilities
- avoid negative experiences in competitive school sport.
On the right-hand side of this page, you’ll find:
- research documents from the pilot
- a summary of the desk research
- a full list of case studies
- the launch of #ReframeCompetition.