Youth Sports Archery Youth Sport Program Additions:

Youth Sports Archery

Youth Sport Program Additions: Archery and Fencing

Based on the research findings investigated below, it is expected that I will ultimately recommend for the addition of archery and fencing to the existing youth sports program in question. The research presented hereafter will illustrate that due diligence has been paid to the question of virtues of the respective sports in the context of said program.

Archery:

Could the sport of archery be successfully adapted to existing youth sports programs?

What are the benefits unique to that make this a worthwhile addition to existing youth sports programs?

Archery offers a number of benefits to young learners in the form of safety instruction, rule following and accessibility that make it an advisable addition to an existing youth sport program.

Null Hypothesis: Archery would not be advisable as an addition to an existing youth sport program because it does not offer any benefits to young learners.

Discussion:

According to the Youth Sport Trust (YST)(2010), archery is distinct among candidates for youth sport opportunities because of its unique accessibility to all would-be candidates. YST reports that "Archery is one of few sports where competitors of all ages/abilities compete together. This Olympic and Paralympic sport allows people of all disabilities to shoot alongside each other. This is why archery is becoming increasingly popular in schools, growing almost three-fold over the last few years."

This increasing popularity demonstrates that its accessibility to all ages and physical dispositions has translated into enthusiasm among potential participants. This demonstrates that in line with the main hypothesis, the Youth Sport Trust views archery as appropriate for young learners and hospitable to their diversity of needs. This underscores the recommendation that this should be included in the existing program.

Fencing:

Research Questions:

3. Could the sport of fencing be successfully adapted to existing youth sports programs?

4. What are the benefits unique to fencing that make this a worthwhile addition to existing youth sports programs?

Hypothesis:

Fencing is a particularly appealing youth sport program because in addition to the physical conditioning that can be found in this and other sports, fencing promotes a unique concentration, focus and discipline that can help develop important core traits in young learners.

Null Hypothesis:

Fencing does not possess unique opportunities to promote concentration, focus and discipline and therefore does not offer young learners benefits distinct from other youth sports.

Discussion:

Harkins (2010) supports the primary hypothesis presented here. Harkins builds his argument on research claiming that increased physical activity improves healthy brain function. This is especially so in children, Harkins contends, strengthening the claim here that youth sports are valuable both physically and intellectually. Harkins goes further to argue that fencing is a sport uniquely well-suited for this dynamic phase of physical and intellectual growth. The text contends that "fencing is unique, a sport that asks its participants to make moves and calculations in an instant. In the game of chess, players must think several moves ahead in order to execute a winning strategy. Fencing, similarly, requires the fencer to carefully engage with his or her opponent in order to exploit weakness and score a point. Success in fencing is entirely dependent on the miniscule moves and split-second decisions a fencer makes when competing. So, it seems that by participating in vigorous fencing, not only is a fencer using his brain, he's increasing his intelligence." (Harkins, p. 1)