Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of Youth Sport in Flanders and the Netherlands: A Case Study

Until recently, 'quantity' (of sport participation) has been the focal point of sport policy. In this paper, however, 'quality' as well as the 'quantity' of youth sport will be evaluated with Flanders and the Netherlands as a case study. The starting point for this evaluation are the strategic goals concerning youth sport stated in general mission statements and policy documents of central government. In both countries there are two main government concerns in youth sport: (1) to increase sport participation in general and among young people in particular, and (2) to improve the quality of these experiences. In this paper the actual (on the ground) situation concerning the quantity and quality of youth sport is analysed. It is concluded that the growing concern about the sport behaviour of young people cannot be supported where quantity is concerned, but it can as related to quality. It is argued that although some good initiatives have already been taken to improve youth sport, setting up a quality care system will become a necessity in the near future. Some recommendations and examples are provided as to how to improve the quality (care) of youth sport.