Routledge Handbook of Youth Sport

The Routledge Handbook of Youth Sport is a comprehensive survey of the latest research into young people’s involvement in sport. Drawing on a wide diversity of disciplines, including sociology, psychology, policy studies, coaching, physical education and physiology, the book examines the importance of sport during a key transitional period of our lives, from the later teenage years into the early twenties, and therefore helps us develop a better understanding of the social construction of young people’s lives.

The book covers youth sport in all its forms, from competitive game-contests and conventional sport to recreational activities, exercise and lifestyle sport, and at all levels, from elite competition to leisure time activities and school physical education. It explores youth sport across the world, in developing and developed countries, and touches on some of the most significant themes and issues in contemporary sport studies, including physical activity and health, lifelong participation, talent identification and development, and safeguarding and abuse.

No other book brings together in one place such a breadth and depth of material on youth sport or the engagement of young people in physical activity. The Routledge Handbook of Youth Sport is therefore important reading for all advanced students, researchers, practitioners and policy-makers with an interest in youth sport, youth culture, sport studies or physical education.

Andy Smith is Professor of Sport and Physical Activity at Edge Hill University, having previously been lecturer, senior lecturer and Reader in the Sociology of Sport and Exercise at the University of Chester as well as Director of the Chester Centre for Research into Sport and Society. Andy has published articles and co-authored several texts alongside Daniel Bloyce (University of Chester, UK), Nigel Thomas (Staffordshire University, UK) and Ivan Waddington (Norwegian School of Sports Sciences) on various themes in the Sociology of Sport and Exercise. He is also Co-Editor of the International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics.

Ken Green is Professor of Sociology of Sport and Head of Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Chester and Visiting Professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and University of Wolverhampton. He has been Editor of the European Physical Education Review and has co-edited three books on PE and sole authored two texts on PE and youth sport.