Processes associated with positive youth development and participation in competitive youth sport

In June 2002 the Canadian Parliament passed Bill C-54 (‘An Act to Promote Physical Activity and Sport’). The overall purpose of this Bill was to develop a national strategy to ‘affi rm the important role of sport in Canadian culture and society’ (Canadian Law and Government Division 2002: 1). Similarly, the British government has broadened the defi nition of sport to provide a greater emphasis on physical activity for health (Department for Culture, Media and Sport/ Strategy Unit 2004). These political decisions refl ect the notion that youth sport is now being internationally viewed in a population health context, rather than the traditional narrow view of youth sport as the breeding ground for the next generation of elite athletes (Fox 2004).