Directed by Dr. Edward Bethel, this project will develop and evaluate an after-school, sports-based character development program for Bahamian youth. The program aims to instill hope, perseverance, and responsibility in children (ages 9-12) from inner-city neighborhoods. The project will also examine the impact of the program on coaches.

The curriculum will be based on five pillars:

1. selection and training of character coaches, who will deliver the intervention faithfully and model good character, specifically hope, responsibility and perseverance;
2. integration of character education with soccer skills training;
3. in-practice reflection, where players reflect on how the soccer skills represent character strengths, and how the broader world of sports can encourage good or bad behavior;
4. out-of-practice transfer, where players reflect in their log books on their character development and transfer to daily life; and
5. off-field “Character Studios” on the second weekend each month, where all players come together for character goal-setting and sharing sessions.

The study will take the form of quantitative group experimental designs that study 288 children and include observations, self-reports and focus groups.