Foreword.

This article presents information on the book "Spoilsports." For many young people sport is an enjoyable activity but not for everyone. Some, as this book shows, will have their lives destroyed during those years when they are active in sport. These are the girls and boys, young women and men who are exploited sexually by peers and/or authority figures in sports. Prevention of the violence that occurs against girls and women is high on the political agenda in many countries in the world. Celia Brackenridge is the pioneer in researching sexual exploitation in sport. She has worked in this area since 1986 and, in this book, she shares her knowledge and experience with the readers. Her long-term goal is to create a sporting environment free of sexual exploitation. To develop sustainable preventative work therefore becomes a goal in itself. In doing this she presents both a review of the theories and research as well as the policies and practices that exist in this field. The book is therefore an excellent illustration of the importance of combining theory and practice, in this case linking research and theory development with policy development.