Competitive culture is stopping Aussie kids from participating in sport

A study of Aussie sports clubs has found the culture of competitiveness is preventing kids from diverse backgrounds and abilities from participating in junior sport. Results from 450 surveys and 101 interviews over three years found a focus on performance and competition negatively affects junior sports clubs’ commitment to diversity and participation. Those who identified as men at these clubs were also, on average, more likely to be homophobic, endorse stricter gender roles, enforce violence as a natural masculine trait, and less likely to hold pro-disability attitudes. These findings suggest club culture can affect who participates and how they participate, and can put off kids from diverse backgrounds and abilities, the researchers say.