Character Development in Youth Athletes: A Case Study of the Sports Leadership Academy (SLAC) in Ghana

This study employed a qualitative case study to explore the benefits of the character development program on youth athletes in Ghana, which is offered by the Sports Leadership Academy. This study focuses on the improvement of life skills and positive youth development through the sports of basketball, soccer, and volleyball. The direct and indirect impact of sports programs on youth character development has been realized across nations but with few or little on the intentional module or strategies to teach athletes. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of a sports program drawn from its associated members, which includes athletes, coaches, program coordinators, and parents. The data from this study were collected through semi-structured interviews, uncovering benefits from participant responses such as psychological growth and development, improved self-discipline, the building of life skills, and the development of leadership skills. Participants expressed and highlighted the strength and approach the program´s structure possesses to integrate psychological techniques like goal setting, self-talk and visualization, breathing techniques, and self-motivation with value-based coaching. However, the study uncovered a few challenges related to financial and human resource limitations and low parental involvement. Nonetheless, participants provided actionable recommendations for the improvement and continuous success of the program, where they discussed the need for integration into the school system, and the need for stronger education and support networks such as sports psychologists for athletes and coaches.