Rights of children and adolescents in sports

Rights of children and adolescents in sports - for the occasion of Human Rights Day

The right of young adolescents

1. To be treated with dignity (Martens, Seefeldt, 1987)
2. To build a critical way of thinking about their  participation in sports (Martens, 1978)
3. To have fun
4. To practice sport in a safe and healthy environment (Panathlon, 2014)
5. To learn the impact of (top-level) sport on the body (Buisman, 2002)
6. To share leadership and decision making through their own participation in sport (Martens, Seefeldt, 1987)
7. To act independently and not just to follow the orders of others (Grupe, 1985)
8. To have an equal opportunity to strive for success (Martens, 1978); Equal chances for everyone (Buisman, 2002)
9. To learn about sporting activities in the future to come which acts as an introduction to life-time sports (Buisman, 2010)
10. To develop personal talents (Buisman, 2002)
11. To develop a voice for the youth in sport culture (Buisman, 2010)

Basic assumptions for Fair Play Education? 

The right of the child:

1. To play as a child and not as an adult (Martens, Seefeldt, 1987)
2. To practice sport in a safe and healthy environment (Panathlon International, 2014)
3. Not to be exposed to stress during practice and competition (Grupe, 1985)
4. To learn basic skills in a variety of sports to avoid over specialization in the formative years (Canadian Council on children and youth, 1995)
5. To take part in training that is adapted to their age, their individual rhythm and competence (Panathlon, 2014)
6. To have fun
7. To compete with children of the same level in a suitable environment (Panathlon, 2014)
8. To be protected from attention-seeking parents, ambitious coaches and egoistic officials (Grupe, 1985)
9. To be involved more in performance goals (related to individual improvement) than in outcome goals of winning (ASEP, American Sport Education Program, 1994)
10. To have sufficient time for the development of other interests and have time for social interactions outside the athletic arena (Grupe, 1985)
11. To be involved with sports: for all children.

To ignore these rights is not fair! 

Comments: cifp@fairplayinternational.org

Composition: Dr. Albert Buisman, CIFP – Council Member