The Research Network on Bullying in Sport will receive support from the CSD in 2022 and will be coordinated by Dr. Maria Prat

The ByD Network integrates 12 researchers and academic collaborators from six Spanish and two Portuguese universities from seven different research groups: National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (University of Barcelona), the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, the University of Girona, the University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, the University of Córdoba, the University of Seville, the University of Lisbon and the European University of Lisbon.

The program of activities for 2022 focuses on carrying out a pilot study to learn about and reflect on the training received on bullying by students in the field of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (CAFyD).

Bullying can bring serious consequences for the victim, both psychologically (lower self-esteem, anxiety, depression, etc.) and socially (reduced social interactions), with abandonment of sports practice as potential consequence. Although episodes of bullying occur during sports practice, sport is also considered a pedagogical tool for the prevention and reduction of bullying through the positive development of values and attitudes that serve as a pedagogical tool. Despite this potential, there is a significant absence of anti-bullying programs in the sporting educational environment, both nationally and internationally.

In 2022, the network will be led by Dr. María Prat from the Sport Research Institute at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Previously, it was coordinated by Carles Ventura Vall-llovera from the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia. The network activities receive financial support from the Spanish Supreme Council for Sports.