Browsing by Author "Ali Bik, Assadullah"

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    Understanding Leadership Development Among Newcomer Youth Through Sport Participation
    (2024-08-28) Ali Bik, Assadullah; Gereluk, Dianne; Scott, Doland E.; Din, Cari Susanne Read
    This study focuses on the experience of the youth who immigrated to Canada from non- English speaking countries. The main aim is to build understanding on the potential occurrence of leadership development among these youth through sport participation. Sports such as soccer are viewed as a borderless activity, and for a newcomer youth whose entire life has changed, this avenue of familiarity may help to cultivate leadership development when other avenues may be limited. This study seeks to add to an area of academic literature by inquiring deeply into the specific intersection of newcomer youth to Canada, benefit of sport participation and leadership development. Using case study methodology, I interviewed 9 participants in total, all from the same organization which supports newcomer youth through sport and emphasizes leadership development. After gathering the qualitative evidence, I thematically analyzed the data to explore emergent themes. I conducted the analysis using a conceptual model of youth leadership development (Redmond & Dolan, 2016). Further, I thematically grouped aspects of their development that were not encompassed by the model. It was discovered that sport participation evoked emotions of comfort to the lives of the participants which allowed them to feel safe, secure and competent in their participation. Additionally, sport was an environment with ample support for newcomer youth. Finally, there were many holistic benefits beyond leadership development which sport brought to the lives of the newcomer youth participants. Collectively considering these gained benefits, it was evident that sport indeed was an avenue of leadership development for these newcomer youth.