What is it about?
Little research has focused on and tried to understand the human rights dimensions of youth sports. The study investigates this understudied aspect of human rights and sport; namely, coache`s views of talent and talent development in a children`s rights perspective. Research on talent in sports has often focused on the athlete and less the coaches who contribute to the development of sport talents. In this study, the coaches`understanding of talent and talent development is examined in the light of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Moreover, Norway is the only country in the world where children`s sports are formally regulated also by the ‘Children’s Rights in Sport’ and ‘Provisions on Children’s Sport’ (CRS). The CRS state the values regarded as fundamental to the establishment of children’s athletics and sports in Norway. These regulations on sports were adopted in 2007 and make clear references to the Convention. The crs regulations are a premise for activities in the field of sports and are legally binding for all Norwegian sports coaches in their work with children up to the age of 13.
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Why is it important?
This is an important research avenue, as the opinions of coaches may have a significant effect on young athletes’ development and continued sport involvement. However, violence and abuse of athletic children in the name of their sports is relatively widespread. Although there are no direct references to sports included in the Convention, the rights are applicable in the context of sports. The Convention can play an important role in preventing and combating unacceptable sport-related abuses, for example by awareness about violations of children’s rights at the ground level. According to crc, article 3, the best interests of the child must be the primary concern in making decisions that may affect them.
Perspectives
The Convention and the crs-documents have implications for talent development. Coaches’ thinking, however, may reflect socio-cultural assumptions which can to varying degrees be more or less in accordance with the children’s rights perspective and research-based knowledge. The sports coaches may not have acknowledged the impact of the children’s rights perspective in guiding their activities. In the public debate in Norway the crs seem at times to be viewed as a hindrance to bring about top level achievement in sports and it seems to be less focused upon the children’s rights perspective and the best interests of the child. I hope this article will contribute to better knowledge and understanding in this important debate.
Associate Professor Jan Emil Ellingsen
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Norwegian Children’s Rights in Sport and Coaches’ Understanding of Talent, The International Journal of Children s Rights, August 2017, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/15718182-02502006.
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