Sport plays vital role in young people’s lives new research suggests 

New research has highlighted the wide range of competing interests which make teenage years such a crucial period for an individual’s development and help shape relationships that last a lifetime (70%).

Electric Ireland, sponsor of the All–Ireland GAA Minor Championships commissioned the survey which encouraged people to look back at the ‘major moments’ that helped shape their formative years to demonstrate how ‘major’ it is to play ‘minor’. The report sheds light on the conflicting pressures young people face with a host of activities and experiences all occurring within the space of a few years ranging from getting a first job to sitting crucial exams.

For people in Northern Ireland learning to drive is a major milestone with 47% indicating it was a highlight closely followed by sitting AS&A–levels (38%) and getting a first part–time job (35%). Amidst these added pressures faced by every young person sport has emerged as an outlet. According to the report 70% of people forge long lasting friendships with former team mates with 91% of people surveyed agreed that sport has a positive impact on people’s lives. Lifelong skills such as teamwork (70%) commitment (54%) and self–discipline (46%) are also developed in teenage years.

Commenting on the research Clare McAllister, Sales and Marketing Manager, Electric Ireland said: 

“Young people today face major demands on their time with new experiences, big decisions and lots of competing activities. This research highlights both the important role sport plays in building lifelong friendships but also in helping to develop new skills such as teamwork, commitment and self–discipline. These skills are transferable and can have a positive impact on young people’s career growth and development. We all know how busy our teenage years are between studying, learning to drive or working a part time job. Amongst the responses 24% of people said travelling with friends was a major moment and 20% said going to their first formal was important but sport can be a great outlet and as the survey shows can have a great impact on a young person’s life.”

There was a major difference between genders in terms of priorities with learning to drive being a major moment for males (56%) compared to only 39% females. The opposite was true for AS & A–levels exams, 44% of females counted the exams as a major moment and only 30% of males. In addition slightly more females (72%) than males (68%) are still friends with people they once played sports with.

Actor and Antrim hurler Shane McNaughton also outlined his views on the importance of sport during teenage years stating:

“This is a crucial time for a lot of young men and women who have their whole lives ahead of them; from a first holiday without parents to passing your driving test and making university decisions among the major moments in a young person’s life. I’m fortunate to have so many great memories, however playing at Casement Park on Ulster Final day before the Senior Final has to be one of the greatest moments in my life to date. Sport helped me gain a contagious will to win and addiction to victory which is something which has carved my character and I would encourage any young person who isn’t already playing a sport to get involved.”   

ENDS

Video

https://youtu.be/47qaNBnnDM8