Sport, Identity, and Youth Motivation: A Long-Form Exploration
/Sport doesn’t just shape bodies; it shapes identities, motivations, and communities. In this long-form piece, we explore how sport acts as a powerful social glue for adolescent athletes, offering connection, purpose, and a framework for personal growth. From team camaraderie to the way youth interpret their personal strivings, sport becomes a key site for meaning-making and belonging.
But the impact doesn’t end there. Major sporting events inspire hope and participation at scale, while role models, both global icons and local mentors, influence how young athletes see themselves and what they strive for. This article weaves together research, personal reflection, and real-world relevance to ask a deeper question: what kind of environments, stories, and relationships are we fostering in youth sport….and who are our athletes becoming because of them?
Read More