Teaching lifeskills through sports : a youth nursery experience

Abstract

Lifeskills are generally regarded as the skills we require to exist and perform in our environment: communicative, physical, psychological, technical and emotional. Some lifeskills change with each generation to accommodate the requirements of an ever changing world. This study will investigate the importance that coaches give to lifeskills and whether these skills can help players in their personal, social, and sporting lives. One Maltese youth football nursery took part in the study and a triangulation method was used: training sessions and games were observed, coaches were interviewed and players participated in a questionnaire. Data collected from this research was collated and analysed. Of the many lifeskills facilitated - communication, cooperation and teamwork appeared the most dominant. The findings of this study led to the conclusion that lifeskills are an essential part of the sporting arena. Both passive and active processes help facilitate lifeskills which promote the athlete not only in sport but also in life in general.