Symposium overview: Envisioning the future of positive youth development research in sport

Abstract

Research in sport situated under the broad umbrella of positive youth development (PYD) has blossomed in the past decade, leading to a vibrant and diverse body of work. This expansion has led to a number of empirical and theoretical contributions and has positioned sport as a valuable and unique context for PYD research. As with any burgeoning area of research though, we run the risk of re-inventing the wheel if we do not take the time to pause and appraise our strengths and weaknesses, in order to identify key areas of importance for the future of PYD research. As such, it is timely to reflect upon the current state of PYD research in sport, its contributions to the broader field of PYD research, and to pose critical questions for researchers to tackle as we move forward in the area. Two significant issues that will be considered in this symposium are: (a) what might we learn about PYD from research in various settings beyond traditional competitive sport contexts? and (b) what role do theories play in shaping the field of PYD research? This symposium brings together theoretical and empirical presentations by established and early career researchers to examine 'where we are' and 'where we might go' in the field of PYD research in sport.