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The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the experiences of the New Zealand Women Rugby Team, the "Black Ferns ". Data were collected via semi-structured interviews on 23 Black Ferns, which was then analyzed with the assistance of Hyper Research, a qualitative data analysis package. The authors discuss the motivations of the women to start playing rugby, as well as those factors that facilitated their continued involvement in the sport. In addition, the players 'perceptions of participating in a strongly male dominated sport were identified. The Black Ferns started playing rugby for two main reasons: the physical nature of the sport, and because their friends played The participants also offered two main reasons for continuing to play: enjoyment, and the challenge. The players expressed divided opinions about competing in what has traditionally been a predominantly male sport. The implications of these findings are important for administrators and those wishing to promote women's rugby., Rugby is New Zealand's national game, but has until recently been male dominated. It was not until 1980 that the first women's provincial game was played in New Zealand (Chester, [...]

There has been concern expressed that participation in sport may encourage the onset of disordered eating which, in turn, may lead to a clinical eating disorder. This study examined social [...]

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between scores on the attentional subscales of Nideffer's Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style (TAIS) and playing standard, age, and position played within the sport of rugby. 144 male volunteer rugby players from the Vancouver Island Rugby Union were tested. The sample included 72 above average rugby players and 72 of average playing standard who were further classified by age: 24 under 19 yr. (U.19), 24 under 23 yr. (U.23), and 24 senior. Four specific positional groups were identified within the sample: Tight Five (n = 56), Backrow (n = 24), Halfbacks (n = 20), and Outside Backs (n = 44). A series of two-way multivariate analyses of variance gave no significant differences between the two different playing standards except for age. The senior group differed from both the U.19 and U.23 groups on narrowing. In addition, significant differences were also observed between the Halfbacks and the remaining positional groups (Tight Five, Backrow, and Threequarters) on two of the six measures, they demonstrated greater broad-external focus and less internal overload. It was concluded that the Halfbacks, who are the decision makers within the team, reflected most closely Nideffer's concept of an effective attentional style and the attentional subscales did discriminate minimally between rugby players of different ages and playing position.