The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an after-school sports program on
at-risk youth. The participants consisted of eight male second-year middle school students (8th
grade) in A city. The participants were selected from the top 10 percent of the at-risk students
among 261 middle school students by using a revision of the Risk Screening Measures (Ku, et
al, 2005). The study was conducted twice per week for 10 weeks, 20 times in total. In order
to collect the data, observation, interviews, and documents were used. Data analysis were
performed through raw data transcribing, subject coding, and subject-meaning generating steps.
For the validity of the analyzed data, peer debriefing, triangulation, and member checks were
used. The findings were divided into two categories: protective factors and risk factors involved
with resilience. With respect to the protective factors for coping with risk, the program had a
positive effect on the students’ adaption to school. It helped the students to want to become
involved in school activities, increased their will to study, improved their relationship with
teachers by decreasing their negative attitudes, and established a positive relationship with their
peers. With respect to the risk factors, the program also had a positive effect on their ability
to cope with risks. The sports activities helped the students to develop their abilities to handle
harmful environments or media, and to control their compulsions. The program had a positive
effect on the development of their sociality by increasing self-confidence, interpersonal skills,
positive thinking, and problem-solving skills. It is suggested that an after-school sports program
is required to create connections between school, community, and family.