New research from Manchester Metropolitan University, commissioned by the Youth Sport Trust and HMC (Heads’ Conference), has established that participation in school sport correlates with higher levels of wellbeing for young people. The survey, which included 5,481 13-15 year olds from state and independent schools, also shows that sports participation is a significant predictor of self-belief and mental toughness.
Ali Oliver MBE, CEO of Youth Sport Trust, commented: “This research clearly shows the importance of young people taking part in sport and physical activity at school, particularly during exam season, when mental toughness and self-efficacy are key life skills. We know that healthy and happy children learn better, so more needs to be done to ensure that girls remain active throughout their school careers.”
Simon Hyde, General Secretary of HMC, added: “This research is incredibly valuable to schools, parents and policymakers and shows the true value of sport and physical activity to our children. We know that healthy children are more attentive and perform better in the classroom – that is why HMC schools put such an emphasis on the academic but also the co-curricular, extracurricular, pastoral and sporting aspects of their provision.”
Kevin Knibbs, Chair of the HMC Sports Committee and Headmaster of Hampton School, concluded: “These findings highlight the beneficial role sport plays in the lives of young people, particularly in terms of wellbeing, self-esteem and resilience. Ensuring pupils have plenty of active involvement in sport throughout the year helps them maintain a healthy balance and navigate teenage life’s pressures and demands.”
The full report, entitled ‘The benefits of sport participation and physical activity in schools’, is available on the Youth Sport Trust website.
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