The Impact of Place on Young People’s Participation in Sport and Physical Activity in The North East of England

Abstract

The present research study aims to explore the impact of place on young people’s participation in sport and physical activity in the North East of England. At the beginning of this research study there were limited findings into young people’s perception of place and how this can affect health related behaviors, including their participation in sport and physical activity. The benefits of sport and physical activity are widely acknowledged across the literature. Thus, this project aims to explore the potential influences on young people’s engagement with sport and physical activity to better understand current barriers and facilitators and the role of place specifically. Qualitative research methods, including focus groups and interviews, were conducted with young people aged 11 to 14 and adults who are employed in the area of Wallsend. Once data collection was complete, a reflexive thematic analysis was carried out to identify key themes. These included, (1) Experience of The Local Area, (2), Sport and Physical Activity in The Local Area and (3) Influences on Participation in Sport and Physical Activity in The Local Area. It was found that the young people in the study would like to participate more in sport and physical activity. However, there are certain restrictions in relation to where they live, as well as how their family can support their engagement. The main barriers to participation in Wallsend for the young people in the study are the lack of safety and maintenance of outdoor spaces in the community and also the lack of accessible activities on offer for their age group. However, the participants did highlight the positive impact that their family and friends can have on their participation.