Operational quality in youth sport clubs: towards a conceptual model

Existing research of service quality within the context youth sport clubs has elaborated on determining quality at the organizational level. Yet, at the operational level of quality, considering the content and processes of youth sport practices, research is lagging. Therefore, a scoping review was conducted to understand and conceptualize operational quality in youth sport clubs. A thematic analysis on the resulting 155 articles formed the base for the preliminary conceptual model of operational quality in youth sport clubs (OQYS), consisting of seven categories representing 29 sub-categories: (1) long-term sport development with focus on fun throughout whole sport career; (2) skill building opportunities; (3) personal involvement of youth members in the sport club; (4) positive relationship and interaction between coach and youth members; (5) cohesion and friendship between youth members; (6) safe (physically and psychologically) and healthy environment in the sport club; (7) strong connection and communication between sport club, coach, and parents. This study provides insights in how operational quality can be comprehensively conceptualized within sport clubs. Further research is encouraged to advance and validate the preliminary conceptual model, include every stakeholder’s perspective, and account for differences according to youth members’ individual characteristics. For policymakers and mangers of sport federations, the model serves as inspirational tool to effectively implement, manage, and evaluate strategies improving the quality of youth sport within sport clubs.