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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine female players’ motives for participation in competitive sports, how they felt involvement has aided in their development, and explore negative experiences that had served as detractors to enjoyment. Focus groups were conducted with 31 players who currently participate on a competitive youth basketball team. Player responses revealed that participation in youth sport is motivated by two main themes: enjoyment and serving a purpose. Players also felt that participation in sport aided their development in six areas: social competency, self-confidence, self-discipline and respect, conflict resolution and anger management, decision making, and work ethic. Finally, players identified three key constructs that served as detractors to their enjoyment: parental involvement, intra-team cliques, and previous coach experiences.
Keywords youth sports, voice, competitive, coaching, youth development
References
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Author Biographies
Christopher J. Harrist, PhD, is an assistant professor and extension specialist in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. His research interests include parental involvement in extracurricular activities, building prosocial skills in youth through sport activities, and the role of positive youth development in generating fully functioning and capable young adults. He serves as the coordinator of the Sequor Youth Development Initiative.
Peter A. Witt, PhD, is a professor and Bradberry Recreation and Youth Development Chair in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. His research interests include the outcomes associated with youth participation in out-of-school time experiences. His specialty area includes the evaluation of after-school programs and other out-of-school time contexts.
