learning new skills an competencies through sport

The functional dimension refers to the ability to learn new skills and competencies through sport. For instance, a participant from Naples explains: “When I used to train at the beginning, I was very insecure, I didn’t believe in myself (…) I’m proud of what I have been able to achieve. I have learned to become more determined and consistent.” Results highlight several skills promoted by the sport experience; however, these outcomes are anchored to the sport experience itself rather than being the consequence of social workers’ intervention; youths do not mention the presence of social workers as a determinant of such outcomes, nor do social workers report a direct investment on youths’ skill development. These results can be explained in different ways. On the one hand they could be considered as direct outcomes of the implicit and invisible processes activated in sport [...]. On the other hand, there are several studies that highlight the relevance of sport coaches in promoting youth skills [...].