| Using the National Youth Sport Coaches Association (NYSCA) training course, adult volunteer coaches were taught skills and behaviors necessary to provide youth participants a positive and rewarding sport experience. Youth sport participants' perceptions of competence and self-esteem as measured by Harter's (1985) Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC) were analyzed. The SPPC subscales tapping Social Acceptance, Athletic Competence, Physical Appearance, and Global Self-Worth were used for this study. The impact of the NYSCA training course on youth's self-esteem and perceived competence was analyzed by comparing responses on the SPPC from players who played for trained coaches (treatment group) to those players who played for untrained coaches (control group). Although the data did not reveal significant differences in the two groups of athletes, scores from the treatment group were higher across all subscales when compared to the control group. |
