VOLUNTEERS Developing volunteers is also a key part of StreetGames’ work and over 6,700 young people have begun volunteering in StreetGames projects. The Doorstep Sport approach has also been incor- porated into Sport England’s recent strategy document Creating a sporting habit for life: a new youth sport strat- egy, which sets a target of developing 1000 sustainable Doorstep Clubs. Two recently funded projects have


helped to showcase StreetGames’ ability to contribute to the London 2012 legacy by creating opportunities which engage young people from diverse socially disadvantaged communities: ‘Building a Participation Legacy’ and ‘Us Girls’. Brunel University’s research on these projects was designed to explore the doorstep sport approach and its capacity to engage young people.


BUILDING A PARTICIPATION LEGACY The Building a Participation Legacy project was part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Disadvantaged Areas programme. It was funded by a Coca Cola Foundation grant. The goal was to create five projects


which would develop a sustainable sporting legacy; increase sport and physical activity levels and encourage positive behaviour change. Each of the legacy projects targeted


its programme towards particular groups of disadvantaged young people in their communities and each included initiatives designed to attract at least one group who typically have


Issue 3 2013 © cybertrek 2013


StreetGames aims to engage and empower young people living in disadvantaged communities


The charity’s ambassadors include Olympians such as Tony Agogo


particularly low engagement in sport, including girls, people from migrant communities and estates where safety was a concern, ethnic minority groups and young people with little previous interest in or experience of sport.


One of the most interesting findings was that young


people perceived that their StreetGames experiences led to increased social skills


The capacity to deliver activities at


low cost and the willingness of workers to ensure that venues were perceived as accessible and friendly helped with the success of the programmes. Consultation with participants is part of StreetGames’ style. As one coach said: “We ask young people what they want or just fit the sessions around them.” The right style for StreetGames sessions is typically informal, participatory and active. Coaches were identified by young peo-


ple as particularly contributing to their enjoyment and many felt that Street- Games coaches were more helpful than


teachers, parents or friends in supporting their efforts to get involved in sport. A key part of this appears to be their will- ingness to spend time developing trusting relationships with young people. One participant said: “They listen to what we want to do, rather than telling us.” The qualities young people admire in Street- Games coaches represent a combination of youth work and coaching skills such as being friendly, fun, polite, nice, easy-going, accepting and supportive. One of the most interesting findings


was young people perceived their Street- Games experiences led to increased social skills. Engaging with their peers, meet- ing new people, working in teams and developing positive relationships with adults were all described as benefits. Young people who volunteered were


particularly positive about their ability to take on responsibility, lead sessions, and interact with others. One said: “I like to wear the StreetGames volunteer t-shirt. Teachers see me wearing it and ask what I do. They didn’t speak to me before.”


US GIRLS The Us Girls initiative was part of Sport England’s national Active Wom- en campaign which involved getting more than 30,000 women, aged be- tween 16 and 25, from disadvantaged


Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 41


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