ABSTRACT
Introduction In this chapter we focus on the interrelationship between youth sport and health imperatives expressed in school-based physical activity practices, and in the beliefs and dispositions of New Zealand teachers and young people. We describe a little of the New Zealand context, then draw on ethnographic work in a secondary school, Peabody High School, to explore some of the ways in which both teachers and students are linking sport and health imperatives in their talk and practice. We argue that at a time when youth inactivity and obesity are centre-stage, more young people are being encouraged/required to play sport with some oft-unintended effects.
