Atlanta native Nneka Arinze has always been passionate about understanding how sports programming can positively impact local youth.
In this Q&A, Arinze, who will be the featured speaker at the Mike and Terry Metzler Distinguished Lecture on Oct. 9, discusses how sport-based youth development programs are designed, her work at Laureus USA Sport for Good Atlanta and improving access to sports programs for Atlanta-area youth.
Q: How would you describe sport-based youth development (SBYD) for someone who hasn't heard of it? And why is it beneficial?
A: “At the core, it means that we take sport and design it intentionally to help young people develop to their full potential. SBYD is a framework that guides the way we approach youth sport, with specific emphasis on key elements such as how to structure relationships, the skills we teach, and how we tailor experiences to the young person. We often talk about the power of sport and what sport can do, but we have to be intentional to make sure we get those positive outcomes.”
Q: Can you talk about your experiences leading and designing opportunities focused on empowering girls through sport? What did you learn from that work?
A: “That was an amazing and fulfilling time. I had knowledge of the framework of SBYD, which highlights the importance of youth-adult relationships. In doing that work, it became very clear at the personal level how working to build trust and supportive relationships with the girls in the program shaped the outcomes we were able to achieve. But even more in the work that I do now, I have an understanding of some of what our programs and coaches are experiencing and can advocate for them on a deeper level.”
Q: What does your work as the Atlanta program manager for Laureus USA Sport for Good Atlanta entail?
A: “Much of the work I do is around managing our grants portfolio, providing capacity-building support and convening the sector. That can look like planning and promoting the free trainings we provide to youth sport programs, bringing together our grantee cohort for peer-learning or leading our town halls where we bring together the community to network and share wisdom. The goal of each day is to find solutions so that we have stronger, more connected organizations across the metro Atlanta youth sport ecosystem.”
Q: For this year's Metzler Lecture, you'll be giving a presentation entitled, “Teamwork is the Way: Partnering to Increase Access to Youth Sports.” What are some of the areas you'll highlight in your lecture?
A: “This might be a spoiler, but I want to highlight how we need to think beyond the individual and look at community-wide solutions to increasing access.”
Q: Why do you think it's important to have events like the Mike and Terry Metzler Distinguished Lecture that promote physical activity for healthy living?
A: “First and foremost, I think it is so important that we create spaces for people to convene around shared interests. This lecture series not only provides a consistent space for those in attendance to connect with the ideas presented. It is a space for a community to come together, linking their personal pursuit for well-being with hopes for these benefits to spread across the Georgia State campus and Atlanta community.”
Learn more about Dr. Arinze’s work at the lecture, which is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9, at 10 a.m. in Georgia State University’s Centennial Hall Auditorium (100 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta). Parking and transportation options can be found on the Metzler Lecture website.
Can't attend in person? The lecture will also be livestreamed.
Georgia State University students, faculty and staff will be able to log into the livestream with their campus ID and password. All other guests will need to click the register option and enter their name and email address to access the livestream.