Muhumuza Wilfred Kato Ndejje University Dept of Sports 0772447402/0414697444 willuga2911@yahoo.com

DEFINITION (1) Skills that enable individuals to succeed in the different environments in which they live such as school, home & neighborhoods.(Danish, Forneris, Hodge, & Heke, 2004, p. 40).

DEFINITION (2) Sport-based life skills are "those internal personal assets, characteristics and skills such as goal setting, emotional control, self-esteem, & hard work ethic that can be facilitated or developed in sport & are transferred for use in non-sport settings" Gould and Carson (2008a) (p. 60).

DEFINITION (3) The ability for adaptive and positive behavior that enables individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life. (WHO 1999)

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT LIFE SKILLS (1) Life skills can be physical (e.g., throwing a ball), behavioral (e.g., effective communication with peers & adults), or cognitive (e.g., effective decision-making)(Danish & Donohue, 1995). Positive youth devt is the most general term used in the previous literature for life skills. (Carnegie Corporation of New York, 1995).

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT LIFE SKILLS (2) Sport can be used as a vehicle to teach life skills. Danish et al. (1995). Environments in which we can transfer life skills include; families, schools, workplaces, neighborhood & communities. Most individuals must succeed in more than one environment. (Danish & Nellen, 1997).

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN LIFE SKILLS AND SPORTS SKILLS Both are learned in the same way, e.g., through demonstration, modeling, and practice (Danish & Hale, 1981). Life skills learned in one domain are transferable to other areas (Danish, 1995a). E.g. Time keeping learnt in sports can be transferred to place of work. Patience with not so talented team mates can be used in your family.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT LIFE SKILLS CONT. Existing life skills research has focused on the period of adolescence. (Coleman & Rocker, 1998). One of the barriers to life skill development might be that athletes are not aware of the skills they have learned. (Danish, Petitpas, & Hale (1993). Coaches must emphasize the valuable skills and attitudes learned during the sport participation & how they can be applied to daily life. (Danish, & Donohue, 1995).

FAMOUS QUOTE During a speech to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge (2004), the president of the IOC stated, “The world of sport is not separate from the rest of the world. Sport breaks down barriers, promotes self-esteem, and can teach life skills and healthy behavior.”

TRANSFERBILITY Transferability is a fundamental characteristic of a life skill. Therefore for something to qualify as a life skill, it has to have a potential transfer to other life situations. If a skill cannot be transferred, it is a sport skill not a life skill. (Gould & Carson, 2008)

HOW SPORTS IMPARTS LIFE SKILLS TO YOUTHS (1) Interacting with key social agents over prolonged periods. (Peers, Coaches, Opponents, Fans) Participating within a rule-bound environment Participating with free choice that may result in life skill learning. (Larson, 2000) Becoming a caring and ethical individual e.g. Team Captains.

HOW SPORTS IMPARTS LIFE SKILLS TO YOUTHS (2) Developing general sense of self abilities (Through sport youth come to know what they can and cannot do). Having a positive future orientation. Learning how to adapt to different educational & working environment. (Carnegie Corporation of New York, 1995).

HOW SPORTS IMPARTS LIFE SKILLS IN YOUTHS CONT. (1) Ability to process information from multiple sources & communicate clearly Being able to adapt to different educational & working environments To be a good citizen by participating in community activities and feeling concern for, and connection to, the well-being of others

HOW SPORTS IMPARTS LIFE SKILLS IN YOUTHS CONT. (2) Being a caring & ethical individual by acting on one's convictions about right & wrong Learning how to form close and lasting relationships NETWORKING Informed decision-making, especially on matters of large consequence

HOW SPORTS IMPARTS LIFE SKILLS IN YOUTHS CONT. (3) Learning respect Need to be motivated to be competent in academic, vocational, physical, emotional, civic, social, and cultural areas

3 BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS IN LIFE SKILL INTERVENTIONS (SDT) Autonomy is defined as “being the source of one’s own behaviour,” (Ryan & Deci, 2002, p.8) In sport perceptions of autonomy may result in increased opportunities for decision-making regarding training options and tactical options, as well as opportunities to act as a leader. It can also mean setting your own goals and working toward them and when you achieve them, feeling competent.

COMPETENCE Competence refers to individuals feeling effective in their ongoing interactions with the social environment and experiencing opportunities to exercise and express their capacities (Ryan & Deci, 2002).

RELATEDNESS Relatedness refers to having a sense of belonging both with other individuals and with one’s community, feeling connected to others, and caring about and being cared for by others (Ryan & Deci, 2002).

ANECDOTE Communicate effectively. Team work. Setting Goals. Handling both success & failure. Meet deadlines & challenges. Balancing sport & academics. Problem solving & working under pressure.