Sport and School Climate

Participation in youth sport is widely recognized as a potential driver of positive youth development, however little research has examined the influence of social relationships developed during an after-school sports program as indicators of school climate. This research examines the association between student relationships with peers and coaches during after-school sports and perceptions of engagement and school environment. Students in grades 4-8 (n= 230) at a school in Arizona (U.S.) completed an online survey in the fall of 2018. Results indicated that feeling coaches care about players and feeling like part of a team were positively associated with increased reported engagement. Feeling like other students shared similar values during sport, feeling a sense of belonging, and feeling that coaches care were associated with positive perceptions of school environment. Participation in an after-school sports program has the potential to foster a positive school climate through the development of social relationships with peers and coaches.