Speaker
Description
Introduction
The Swedish school sport system, where talented athletes are given the possibility to simultaneously invest in their education and sport during upper-secondary school is an important part of the Swedish elite sports model. Implemented in the 70’s for a few especially talented athletes, the system grew rapidly during the 90’s and 00’s and attracted as most 11% of all Swedish pupils. However, participation was uneven in relation to type of sport and different background factors. In response to the system becoming too large and a lack of quality at some schools, the system was in 2011 revised to focus only on elite sports. The objective of this presentation is to analyse what the new system has meant for who the pupils who participate are.
Methods
The study draws on official information on the Swedish school sports system and questionnaires answered by 7848 school sports pupils.
Findings
Through the revision the supply of school sports was limited but has now increased and again attracts many pupils. Participation is still uneven with more boys, pupils with Swedish background, and those exercising team sports. As a result, athletes from all sports and backgrounds are not given the same conditions to take part of the Swedish elite sports model.
Discussion and Conclusions
School sports in Sweden is mainly attracting some groups of pupils, with certain backgrounds that matches the supply that is offered. If a wider range of pupils should be able to take part of the system, it must evolve and change.
