This commentary offers an analysis of the implications of Covid-19 on the future of elite women's football, with the intention of reflecting on and illuminating the threat and uncertainty facing the ...game. Topics covered include (1) organisational and economic repercussions; (2) consequences for player contracts, migration and investment; and (3) player wellbeing. These significant challenges require swift and decisive action in order to mitigate their potential effects. Recommendations are made for governing bodies, parent clubs and practitioners, in addition to possible future research directions for academics. We reflect upon what can be done during and post-pandemic to continue the momentum and growth of women's football in England, highlighting the need for football clubs to learn from previous crises by embracing innovation and entrepreneurship.
The emergence of social media has profoundly impacted the delivery and consumption of sport. In the current review we analysed the existing body of knowledge of social media in the field of sport ...management from a service-dominant logic perspective, with an emphasis on relationship marketing. We reviewed 70 journal articles published in English-language sport management journals, which investigated new media technologies facilitating interactivity and co-creation that allow for the development and sharing of user-generated content among and between brands and individuals (i.e., social media). Three categories of social media research were identified: strategic, operational, and user-focussed. The findings of the review demonstrate that social media research in sport management aligns with service-dominant logic and illustrates the role of social media in cultivating relationships among and between brands and individuals. Interaction and engagement play a crucial role in cultivating these relationships. Discussion of each category, opportunities for future research as well as suggestions for theoretical approaches, research design and context are advanced.
Sport coaches are among the most critical employees in the sport industry and regularly practice sport management activities including facilitating participation, managing athlete, organizing events, ...and promoting products and services. Interestingly, little is known about why individuals choose to pursue a career as a sports coach and how they might be acculturated into their profession. The general purpose of this study was to build on these works and to continue exploring the theorized elements of the process of acculturation within occupational socialization. To accomplish this, the specific purpose of this study was to explore and understand the perceptions and experiences of coaches that contributed to their acculturation.Occupational socialization theory describes acculturation as the process as including initial attraction and personal attributes (Chatoups et al., 2007; Dodds et al., 1991), the apprenticeship of observation (Curtner-Smith, 2017; Lawson, 1983), and resource assessment (Lortie, 1975; Sage, 1989) as key elements leading to the formation of a subjective warrant and a decision to advance into formal training for the profession. The effects of acculturation permeate other forms of occupational socialization (Richards et al., 2014) and coach education research has demonstrated that coaches are largely resistant to university and theory-based training (Curtner-Smith, 1999; Cushion et al., 2003; Jones et al., 2002).This study utilized a grounded theory approach to explore the process of eight new coaches in the sport of tennis. This sample included six male and two female participants who began coaching in various settings (clubs, colleges, and high schools) in the United States. Constant comparison was used throughout the data collection and analysis process to confirm reemerging themes and identify new areas of interest (Corbin & Strauss, 2015; Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Results, discussion, and conclusions are discussed herein.
In 2018, 7.9 million individuals participated in running events. For achievement-oriented runners, the progress principle can stimulate their need to feel that they are making progress in meaningful ...work, which they do by continuously setting and meeting small goals. However, the motivation to run may be shifting away from personal achievement to instead focusing on health, wellbeing, and social benefits. Due to the influx of participants in running activities and changes to key motivational drivers, the purpose of this study was to understand the value of the relationships and social networks existing within community running groups. The secondary purpose was to explore how experiential marketing operates as a strategy that groups capitalize on to differentiate their offerings in ways that create unique customer experiences.The theoretical framework was guided by Identity Theory, Social Identification Theory, and Network Exchange Theory. Identity theory makes sense of the behaviors that individuals display within their distinctive roles, whereas social identification theory considers the process and relationships occurring within groups. Group identity has been recognized as a framework operating around two distinct identities that supporters of a group or team exhibit. Network Exchange theory was used to evaluate the worth of and process for trading resources amongst group members.The researchers conducted 16 semi-structured interviews with individuals who self-identified as members of community running groups in the Midwest. A hermeneutic phenomenology research design allowed the researchers to learn about the participant’ lived experiences, through each individual’s account of how they themselves make sense of being a community running group member. Regarding data analysis, the key themes were discovered through transcriptions of the Zoom interviews, expanded field notes, relevant artifacts, and written documents.The results of this study produced three main themes: (1) trials of miles: finding running and community running groups, (2) negotiating one’s athlete identity, and (3) the role of community running group membership benefits. For the first theme, many participants did not start running until later in life and began with varying levels of prior athletic experience. Ultimately what kept them participating were the relationships they formed through what they previously believed to be an individual sport. Additional findings focused on the recruitment and retention of members. New discoveries were also made on the second theme that further our understanding for how runners approach initiating and positively managing their athlete identity. Community running groups in this study, and the members within them, helped facilitate the advancement and ultimately the acceptance of a new participant’s runner identity through their continuous support. The third theme introduced the value members receive, along with relevant challenges faced and the dark side to community running groups. The results were heavily based on the bonding and bridging that occurred between in-groups and out-groups, as well as how community running groups promote safety in running.These new findings provide societal value to local communities and globally, particularly for those intending to use community running groups to advance equity in sport. Specifically, it makes a valuable contribution to extending what is understood about the process for driving group awareness and participation in community sports. Substantial practical implications were also presented in detail and highlight several key opportunities for industry professional to explore when aiming to create and market an inclusive community sport program.
The purpose of this study is to understand NCAA Division I, II, and III collegiate athletes (CAs)’ motivations towards academics, athletics, and gain a greater understanding of their transition ...plans. This study uses a sequential mixed method design. Firstly, the quantitative study examined collegiate athletes’ motivation levels for both academics and athletics among the NCAA divisions. The Sport Motivation Scale-II (SMS-II) was utilized to measure athletic motivation, and the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) was used to measure academic motivation. After conducting quantitative research, a qualitative approach was used to explore collegiate athletes’ career readiness and transition plans based on their motivation levels. A total of 457 CAs participated in the quantitative part, and 13 participants were recruited and participated in the qualitative part of the study.The quantitative part showed significant differences between Division I and Division III and Division II and Division III for academic motivation. Also, the results revealed significant differences between Division I and Division II and Division I and Divisions III in terms of athletic motivation. The qualitative part resulted in five distinct themes: 1) Divisional Differences in Support & Resources, 2) Balancing the Dual Role of Athletics and Academics, 3) Self Determination Theory: Emphasis on the Components of Motivation, 4) Planning and Career Goals for Transition Out of Sport, and 5) Impact of COVID-19.The results of this study included vital information regarding CAs’ motivation and their career transitions. Since all the athletes will eventually retire from their sports, they will experience at least one or more transitional situations in their athletic lives. Thus, it is hoped that this study will provide important information for people who are involved in college athletics, specifically, educators, coaches, administrators, and researchers, as well as fill a gap in the literature, as few studies have been conducted using DII and DIII CA populations, as well as there is a lack of research comparing all three NCAA divisions.
In 2011, the Office for Civil Rights issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” instructing universities to take action regarding sexual assault on college campuses. Specifically, universities must better ...educate students on the prevention of sexual assault, in the hope of reducing violence against women. Previous research is inconclusive on the involvement of intercollegiate student-athletes in incidences of sexual assault and the volume of sexual assault cases brought against NCAA student-athletes being disproportionally larger than other students at the college level. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of coaches and student-athletes regarding the processes of sexual assault prevention strategies on college campuses. This study's theoretical framework included prevention theories framework, which is widely used to develop and evaluate prevention programs in the field of sexual violence prevention. Based on the responses given by participants of this study, it is shown that the majority of the students perceived that the sexual assault prevention strategies gave them the initial awareness of the matter but continued education was needed. Also, majority of the college coaches revealed that the education of sexual assault prevention strategies was needed and showed effectiveness in most areas but better deemed them more as a formality and that their college was just checking a box. The study offered timely suggestions for future research to help implement more effective sexual assault prevention curriculums and training programs to prevent student-athletes from being involved in sexual assault situations on college campuses.
AimThe aim of this study was to investigate different experiences of retired football players who went through an early specialization, in which way it affected their athletic identity and ...retirement, and how they have dealt with it. The research questions were:What are Swedish footballers' experiences of early specialization in relation to athletic identity?How do early specialized Swedish footballers reflect on athletic identity after career termination?MethodTo answer the research questions, a qualitative method with semi-structured interviews were used. Six male retired football players were recruited through a convenience sample. The participants were between 20-30 years old and have been retired for more than a year. Within this study, an inductive thematic analysis was conducted.ResultsThe interviews and the thematic analysis resulted in four segments, which are part of their football journey. These are: 1) Early specialization- At the start of their career until they reached youth football, 2) Career- from youth football to a senior level, 3) Retirement- Right before and after career termination, 4) Athletic identity- Journey through their careers. Within each segment, there are categorized themes with the participants reflections of their experience throughout football.ConclusionsThe results within this study shows that athletic identity starts growing within the early specialization segment, through the career and gets encountered with complications through retirement within the retired footballer. Early specialized footballers who identify stronger with their athletic-self have a harder time transitioning out of football. Further research should consider studying early specialization's relationship with athletic identity in football since no studies are found investigating the matter.
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