The Sports Experience in the Curumim Program of Sesc Ribeirão Preto (Brazil)

In 1946, the Sesc - Social Service of Commerce - was created seeking to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of workers in Brazil. Over time, Sesc has become an active institution in the field of Non-Formal Education (MAGALHÃES, MARTIN, 2013), offering access to cultural places and productions. In 1988, the socio-educational program Curumim, which cares for children from 7 to 12 years old of low-income families, was implemented in Sesc Ribeirão Preto and includes various contents, as well as the sport, aiming at the integral development of participants (SERVIÇO SOCIAL DO COMÉRCIO, 1986). According to Bourdieu’s studies, it was identified the potential of the Curumim Program to expand the cultural capital and to attribute new compositions to the habitus (BOURDIEU, 2008) of its participants. This research sought to understand how the sports practice experienced in Curumim influenced the relationship of the former participants with the sport. The methodology used was the Grounded Theory (STRAUSS; CORBIN, 2008); six adults who participated in the Curumim in Sesc Ribeirão Preto and two people who have worked as educators in that program were interviewed. In data analysis, five categories were established: "Sports experiences in school and in other places"; "Sports experiences in Curumim"; "Loss of contact with the sport"; "Continuity of sports practice" and; "Curumim as 'an open window': discoveries, learning and influences”, the latter being the main category. At last, it was possible to perceive that the former participants were influenced in adolescence and in adulthood by the sports practice experienced in Curumim, leading to the involvement of some of them in work activities related to sport, such as the Physical Education career. It has also been identified that Curumim can modify the habitus of its participants, as well as sensitize to a wider vision of their own lives.