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The current study aims to examine the impact of recreational and co-curricular activities on the educational growth of student athletes in their leisure time. The study sought to analyze the educational growth of student athletes at secondary school level through recreational and co-curricular activities to look into whether, these factors influence positively on the educational growth of student athletes or not? The present study is based on survey methodology to employ a quantitative research approach. Student athletes of secondary schools of Punjab, Pakistan were the population of the present study. The samples were selected through simple random sampling technique. Survey questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. A total number of 600 students from 57 schools of six districts of Punjab were chosen as samples. The data from the survey were analyzed with descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression analyses using SPSS version 25 software. The findings revealed that recreational and co-curricular activities significantly predicted the variance in educational growth of student athletes. Furthermore, the statistical analysis also revealed that all variables of recreational and co-curricular activities factors established positive significant relationship with educational growth of student athletes. The implications of the study suggested that recreational and co-curricular activities play a key role in boosting up student athletes educational growth. Student athletes should be supported by their parents not only for their participation but also for their achievements. It develops a sense of harmony between students and they can acquire a positive attitude towards respecting others by different social standards, and self-control is encouraged. The seminars, community walks, public gatherings, and recreational events should be conducted to highlight the importance of student athletes’ competences in future.

Keywords: Recreational Activities, Co-curricular Activities, Educational Growth, Student Athlete, Secondary School.