1. The relationship between the 'off-field' activities and the 'on-field' engagement of professional Australian footballers.
- Author
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Saunders, J. E. and Pink, M.
- Subjects
FOOTBALL players ,FOOTBALL teams ,WORK-life balance ,AUTONOMY (Psychology) - Abstract
The conceptual framework adapted for this research highlighted the importance of assuming a person in the environment interaction framework as a basis for the enquiry. Accounting for salient individual player characteristics and the context provided by the individual football clubs thus became fundamental elements. A sequential mixed methods design used an initial case study of a single club to first confirm, clarify, refine and further scope the variables identified as relevant. Caring for the whole person, valuing of work-life balance, respect for the individual and their autonomy, and respect for the player welfare department as making a genuine contribution to the club were the important aspects of the club culture that emerged as being most meaningfully related to players' off -field activities and their value. The subsequent league wide survey involved 430 players from fourteen of the eighteen clubs. The major findings from the survey were that higher levels of engagement in their football were found to be positively related to the perceived quality of the activities experienced and the support provided by the club rather than simply the amount of time invested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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