Student discourse on physical activity and sport among Irish young people

This article explores accounts of student discourse related to the role of physical activity and sport in the lives of Irish children and youth. The data source is a purposeful sample of student narratives based upon age of student, type of school and gender, and sought representation from both rural and urban settings. Data were derived from an original, random sample of approximately 4,100 texts written by Irish young people (ages 10–12 and 14–17). Data suggest sport plays a pervasive role in the lives of Irish primary children as they enjoy and participate in a variety of sports and physical activities. Gendered and age-related patterns emerged in their preferences of activities and in the way in which they represented their sporting selves. These findings have implications for the value of student voice in the delivery and design of models of participation that expand opportunities for physical activity within schools and beyond.