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The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sports participation and self-esteem, also examined was whether the construct of physical self-esteem would predict global self-esteem. The participants were 194 secondary school students (98 boys, 96 girls), who completed a questionnaire relating to self-concept, and detailing their sports participation. Results showed strong positive correlations between the sports participation indices and global self-esteem. Physical self-esteem predicted global self-esteem for both boys and girls and satisfaction with appearance was found to be a better predictor than perception of physical competence. Those who participated in sport regularly reported higher physical and global self-esteem scores. Results indicated links between sports participation and self-esteem, supporting a model mediated by physical self-esteem.