Sport, Identity, and Youth Motivation: A Long-Form Exploration
/Sport is more than a game….it is one of the world’s most powerful social tools. For adolescents, especially those engaged in team sports, the influence of sport extends well beyond performance and competition. It helps shape identity, fuels motivation, builds belonging, and often acts as a bridge between individual development and collective experience. But how do these layers interact? And are we, as coaches, educators, or sport leaders, fully harnessing sport’s potential to support positive youth development?
In this long-form article, I explore how sport functions as a social glue, how major sporting events can influence youth participation and community spirit, and how role models shape the aspirations and motivations of adolescent athletes. Drawing from my PhD research into personal strivings and motivational pathways in elite youth rugby players, and supported by academic literature, I pose a series of questions that challenge how we design, lead, and support sport for young people today.
More Than a Game - Sport as Social Glue
Sport fosters a unique kind of belonging. Whether played in a suburban park or a packed stadium, it creates a shared space where people connect, express identity, and form meaning through collective effort. For adolescents, this shared context becomes especially significant. During formative years of identity development (Erikson, 1968), sport offers a safe and structured way to explore values, test limits, and define purpose. But what does this actually look like in practice?
In my research with adolescent rugby union players, strivings often reflected deeply relational goals. Phrases like “to earn respect,” “to support the team,” or “to make my family proud” were frequently cited, underscoring how sport functions not only as personal development but as a site of social affirmation. This aligns with McAdams' (2001) concept of narrative identity, where individuals construct meaning through stories that link their personal goals to broader social relationships. Are we giving young athletes the tools to shape these stories in positive, enduring ways?
Social bonds in sport don’t just support performance….they protect wellbeing. Athletes embedded in supportive team cultures are less likely to experience burnout, dropout, or mental health challenges (Crust et al., 2014). Moreover, when youth feel they matter to a team, they are more likely to internalise motivation in sustainable ways (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Yet in high-performance environments, there’s a risk of replacing this communal ethos with individualistic pressure. How do we preserve sport’s connective power even as competitive intensity rises?
At its best, sport acts as a “third place”; not home, not school, but a vital social hub. This is particularly important in communities where other support systems are lacking. Research by Spaaij (2009) shows that sport can foster social inclusion and identity formation among marginalised youth. In my research, many players expressed strivings such as “be someone others can look up to” or “help younger players,” suggesting a strong drive for prosocial impact. Are we listening to this relational motivation in how we design youth programs?
Beyond the Arena - The Power of Major Events
There’s something electric about watching a nation rally behind a major sporting event. The flags, the chants, the shared nervous energy…these moments transcend sport and become part of a community’s cultural fabric. But for adolescents, the impact runs even deeper. Major events can catalyse identity, spark new aspirations, and reframe what’s possible. Are we leveraging this moment of inspiration, or are we letting it fade without follow-through?
Whether it's the Olympics, a local grand final, or the Rugby World Cup, these events can act as powerful motivators. In my research, young athletes often referenced moments they’d witnessed; “watching the Wallabies at Suncorp,” “seeing the haka live,” or “when [player] scored that try.” These are not just memories; they’re formative experiences. According to Bandura’s (1977) Social Learning Theory, such observational moments create vicarious pathways to action. But how often do we actually provide access to these moments for all young people?
The challenge is moving from moment to movement. Green (2007) critiques how legacy planning for major events often remains performative….more rhetoric than reality. For example, a World Cup might generate buzz, but unless there's integration with schools, local clubs, and development pathways, that excitement has nowhere to go. My study revealed that even high-performing adolescents felt disconnected from these pathways, unsure how inspiration could translate into opportunity. How can we close this loop between national spectacle and local engagement?
We also underestimate the emotional and psychological power of these events. They offer collective hope, identity affirmation, and sometimes even healing. Think of Cathy Freeman’s gold medal in 2000, the Matildas’ semifinal run in 2023, or the Lions tours in rugby. These moments linger. Misener et al. (2015) describe this as psychological legacy; when positive emotions and shared pride fuel longer-term motivation. How might we embed such legacy planning into national and local sport systems?
Importantly, the ripple effect isn’t automatic….it’s shaped by inclusion and access. Youth from underrepresented communities may watch these events without ever seeing someone who looks like them or without the resources to join in. Spaaij (2009) reminds us that sport's benefits depend on deliberate accessibility. Who are we inspiring….and who are we overlooking…when we talk about the power of sport?
In Their Shoes - The Influence of Role Models
Young athletes don’t just play for points; they play for meaning. And often, that meaning is shaped by the people they admire. Role models offer more than aspiration; they offer a blueprint for who and how to be. From elite stars to local coaches, these figures carry enormous influence in shaping identity, values, and drive. But in an era of curated media and performative success, are we teaching youth to look beyond the scoreboard?
In my thesis, adolescent athletes often expressed strivings linked to specific individuals…“follow this player’s path,” “be like that coach,” or “earn respect like this legend of the game.” These strivings were often coded externally by academy players and internally by club-based players, suggesting that environment influences how role model influence is processed (McMurtry, 2025). Emmons (1999) distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic strivings, highlighting the importance of values-driven rather than validation-driven motivation. Are we fostering reflective admiration, or shallow imitation?
Authentic role models are not flawless…they are real. Unfortunately, media narratives often strip complexity in favour of perfection or downfall. Adolescents watching may form unrealistic expectations or binary views of success and failure. Houltberg and Scholefield (2020) advocate for narrative-based coaching, helping young athletes link performance goals to personal meaning. Could more coaches and sport organisations prioritise sharing journeys, not just highlights?
Crucially, the most impactful role models are often close to home. My research revealed that coaches, older teammates, and even parents were cited as the most influential by adolescent players…more so than international stars. This reflects the relational nature of youth development and echoes Jordalen et al. (2020), who found that autonomy-supportive environments foster confidence, ethical behaviour, and lasting drive. Are we equipping local coaches to step into this critical mentorship role?
Representation matters too. For youth to believe they belong, they need to see people like themselves in roles of influence. When that representation is lacking, dropout and disidentification become real risks. Inclusion is not just a moral goal; it’s a developmental one. Are we building coaching pipelines, leadership platforms, and storytelling spaces that elevate diverse journeys?
Lastly, we must challenge the pressure on adolescents to become role models before they’ve fully developed their own identity. In my study, some players felt torn; proud to lead, but scared to make mistakes. As adults in the system, we must allow young people to be in-process. Role modelling isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up with integrity. Are we helping youth understand that they don’t have to be the next someone else….that they can be the best version of themselves?
Redefining Success in Youth Sport
When viewed holistically, sport becomes far more than a game. It is a cultural tool, a developmental pathway, and a stage for meaning-making. For adolescent athletes, it is a space where identity is shaped, values are explored, and purpose is formed. But for sport to fully realise this potential, we must intentionally shape the environments, relationships, and narratives that surround young people.
This means:
Honouring the social and emotional dimensions of sport.
Translating major events into long-term access and opportunity.
Curating authentic role model experiences that reflect diversity, effort, and purpose.
Ultimately, if we want young people to thrive in sport (and through sport), we must ask better questions. Not just “How far can they go?” but “Who are they becoming in the process?”