Sport and Youth Development: the Practice of Sport–Oriented Youth Development Programs in Tanzania
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SPORT AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: THE PRACTICE OF SPORT–ORIENTED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN TANZANIA Chalukulu Bilinzozi John Master of Educational Studies, UQ, Australia Master of Sport Science, NSSS, Oslo, Norway BEDPESC, UDSM, Tanzania Dip. Of Education, Tanzania Submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Education January 2017 Youth Research Centre Melbourne Graduate School of Education Melbourne University i ABSTRACT This study explores the practice of youth and life skills development through sport in Tanzania. The study focuses on the quality of practice and the nature of life skills acquisition in selected sport-oriented youth development programs (SOYDPs). Drawing on the Generic Youth Development Framework (GYDF) (Wierenga & Wyn 2011) this study aims to answer one overarching question: To what extent do SOYDPs in Tanzania value young people and enable young people to do things of value? The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and focus groups, to examine young peoples’ participation in two youth sport organisations in the cities of Dar Es Salaam and Arusha. A total of 123 young people completed the survey and subsequently 20 participants (13 young people, 7 staff and volunteers and program providers/managers) participated in focus group discussions. The results revealed that the strengths of the programs include the support and encouragement they provide to young people in learning and growing through experience and reflection, and engaging young people in the real world by promoting active citizenship. In contrast, the results also showed that programs need to improve in areas that relate to practices pertaining to team building and recognition of young peoples’ strengths. Overall, the results suggest that the SOYDPs positively respond to the needs and wants of young people and that youth development would benefit from an increase in quality research within this growing area in Tanzania. ii DECLARATION This is to certify that . the thesis comprises only my original work towards the Doctor of Education Degree . due acknowledgement has been made in the text to all other material used . the thesis is less than 50,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, figures, references and appendices as approved by the RHD Committee. Signed: JOHN, Chalukulu Bilinzozi iii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to all young people in Tanzania who play and love sport! iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank all participants from Tanzania (young people, volunteers and project managers); without their authentic input this doctoral thesis would not have been possible. This study has evolved and matured with the expert advice and support from my dedicated academic supervisors. I give special thanks to my principal supervisor, Prof Johanna Wyn and co- supervisor Dr Hernán Cuervo. I also extend my special thanks to the Chairperson of the National Sports Council of Tanzania (NSC), Mr Dionis Malinzi, the former Secretary General, Mr Henry Lihaya and all NSC staff for exempting me from office duties to pursue this study. I extend my personal and sincere thanks to my lovely, beautiful and supportive wife, Julitha John, who continues to inspire me to strive for the best in all academic, professional and personal endeavours. My wife has dedicated time and finances to ensure I successfully complete this doctoral process, and I am very much indebted to her. I would like to thank my stellar children, Julieth and Johnson, who always encourage me to continue striving for the highest academic accolades. I also would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to my God-given sister-in-law in Australia, Jessica Miani; you will forever be in my thoughts for taking time out of your busy schedule to support me. And finally, I would like to acknowledge the Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit for being my true source of inspiration, motivation and belief. To God is the Glory, Amen! v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ ii DECLARATION ................................................................................................................ iii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................ v TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. x LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... xi Chapter One: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 Background of Young People in Tanzania ......................................................................... 2 Youth marginalisation ................................................................................................... 6 Youth Unemployment ................................................................................................. 11 Drug abuse .................................................................................................................. 14 Youth on the Political Agenda ......................................................................................... 18 National Youth Development Policy ........................................................................... 19 National Sports Development Policy ........................................................................... 23 Youth Participation in Sports ........................................................................................... 25 Rationale for the study .................................................................................................... 26 Statement of the problem ................................................................................................. 27 Aims and research questions ........................................................................................... 28 Significance of the study ................................................................................................. 28 Thesis structure ............................................................................................................... 30 vi Chapter Two: YOUTH AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT .............................................. 31 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 31 Understanding the concept of ‘youth’ .............................................................................. 32 Youth as an age category ............................................................................................. 33 Youth as a relational concept ....................................................................................... 38 Youth Development concept: Deficit approach versus Youth Development approach...... 41 Life skills ........................................................................................................................ 46 Youth and Life Skills Development Programs ................................................................. 48 Self-Esteem/Confidence-building programs ................................................................. 50 Structured or Theory-Based Programs ......................................................................... 50 Community-Based Programs ....................................................................................... 51 Youth Development Frameworks .................................................................................... 53 Generic Youth Development Framework (GYDF) ....................................................... 56 Summary and the gaps to be filled ................................................................................... 59 Chapter Three: YOUTH SPORT ..................................................................................... 63 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 63 Sport ............................................................................................................................... 63 Youth Sport and Youth development ............................................................................... 66 Youth sport and learning performance ......................................................................... 69 Youth Sport and Social Development .......................................................................... 72 Youth Sport and Civic Engagement ............................................................................. 75 Youth Sport and Social Capital .................................................................................... 79 Sport-Oriented Youth Development Programs (SOYDPs) ............................................... 82 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 83 vii Chapter Four: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................... 85 Introduction ....................................................................................................................