Role models
Role models can encourage children and youth to play sport and become more physically active.
A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people [Dictionary.com, opens in a new tab].
Role models can encourage children and youth to play sport and become more physically active. They provide evidence that success is attainable, help counteract negative stereotypes and represent possible future states. 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143
While high performance and professional athletes are often highlighted as role models other research emphasises the importance of family members, friends, teachers, coaches, and the broader community to promote positive engagement in sport, education, and other healthy behaviours. 1, 27, 58, 59, 83, 85, 103, 139, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148
- The 2024, ‘Free to Exist’ study included a survey and workshops with LGBTIQA+ young people aged 16-25. The importance of representation, visibility, and active role models in all aspects of sport (playing, workforce, spectators) was highlighted many times as an important enabler of sport participation and a signal that sport/s are safe, welcoming, and inclusive. 143
- A 2018 study of the Indigenous Marathon Program (IMP) in a remote Torres Strait Island community found that Indigenous respondents were more likely to be inspired by IMP runners. As local role models the IMP runners helped to reduce levels of ‘shame’ and embarrassment and helped to promote both running and broader health outcomes. 140
- A case study report of the UK Football Association (FA) 2015-2016 ambassador program found that enabling female football players to share their stories at schools and community groups provided a positive experience for girls who attended. The four key impacts reported were: re-enthusing and validating girls’ participation in football; actively and meaningfully getting across positive life lessons; inspiring girls to believe they can achieve in football; and driving interest in the women’s elite game. 149
- A longitudinal study of Australian female adolescents, published in 2015, found that girls whose role models played sport, were more physically active than those whose role models did not play sport. 150
There is no single perfect role model, or type of role model. We can all play a role in helping to make being fit and physically active visible and acceptable for everyone.
More information on the benefits and impact of role models for different groups is available in these topics:
Resources and reading
- How young girls are being inspired to find themselves through football, opens in a new tab, Suzanne Wrack, The Guardian, (27 April 2021). Debra is Shalukah’s role model through a Football Beyond Borders programme designed to allow girls to ‘own the pitch’. “This is what we do, we literally use the power of football to inspire girls, to get girls talking, to get girls active, to get girls enjoying themselves, making positive relationships. Football at the elite level has moved so far and is so removed from that.”
- AFLW illustrates importance of Indigenous role models, opens in a new tab, Tash Gunawardana, Siren, (18 August 2020). Indigenous footballers in the AFLW have a positive impact as role models for Indigenous women and girls, encouraging them to be active and play sport.
- Paralympian role models: media hype, political rhetoric or the real deal?, opens in a new tab Louise McCuaig, Senior Lecturer Health and Physical Education in Schools, University of Queensland, The Conversation, (16 September 2016). Provides an overview of how the success of role models is often dependent on how 'relevant' they are to those observing them and how 'attainable' their achievements appear and provides anecdote to demonstrate how a Paralympic athlete has been so to a young boy.
- Why do girls need athletic role models? , opens in a new tabSIRC Blog, (10 June 2015). When role models are mentioned in sport, the first thing that comes to mind are high profile celebrities. While positive role models can be found in amateur and professional sports, it's the people they see every day that makes the biggest difference.
- Breaking Barriers: Supporting Disabled Teenage Girls to be Active Research, opens in a new tab, Access Sport, (May 2024). The unique experiences of disabled teenage girls can be lost when viewed through research focused solely on girls or disabled young people. The goal of this research was to understand their experiences so that we can create engaging sport and exercise offers that work for them. The research used surveys and focus groups with teenage girls in the UK, aged 11-19 years, who had a disability or impairment; a long-term health condition; and/or a neurodiverse condition, to explore disabled teenage girls’ experiences, attitudes and barriers towards sport and exercise. Some key findings included:
- Girls we spoke to interpreted ‘not having anyone similar to them doing sport or exercise’ in different ways. Some said they don’t see anyone with their impairment taking part and are put off sport or exercise as a result. Others said they don’t see girls of the same ethnicity or faith as them taking part, but they didn’t explicitly relate this barrier to their impairment. This highlights the importance of considering multiple social categorisations such as race, disability or socio-economic status when examining teenage girls’ experiences.
- Free to exist: Documenting participation data on LGBTIQA+ young people in sport and physical activity, opens in a new tab, Ryan Storr, Carleigh Yeomans, Kath Albury, et al., Swinburne University for VicHealth, (May 2024). The aim of this mixed-method research project was to collect participation data on LGBTIQA+ young people (aged 16-25) in sport and physical activity, whilst exploring the experiences, needs and engagement of LGBTIQA+ young people in sport and movement settings. In total, 20 young people aged 16-25 years participated in 5 focus groups, and 506 LGBTIQA+ young people participated in a quantitative survey. Quantitative and qualitative data paint a concerning picture of young LGBTIQA+ people’s participation in sport and physical activity, with lower rates of participation and engagement than the wider population and high rates of discrimination when they do engage. However, more promising, are the perspectives of young people who want to engage in sport and movement, and their motivation for sport and movement spaces to do more to be inclusive. Key findings relating to role models, representation, and visibility included:
- Representation and visibility: This theme related to the importance of LGBTIQA+ people being seen across sport and movement spaces. Young people spoke of the importance of role models, and increased visibility through pride games and campaigns. The associated secondary themes were importance of role models, need for greater representation, visibility of LGBTIQA+ people.
- Having role models on the global stage, who unapologetically live their lives and are open with their relationships and sexuality, was significant for young people we spoke to.
- The need for a diverse workforce that reflects diversity in sexuality and gender. This then leads to young people seeing viable options and pathways into non-playing positions such as coaching and leadership. This is an under explored area with LGBTIQA+ sport scholarship, and our data suggested that young people notice the lack of LGBTIQA+ representation in coaching and administration in sport.
- Participants spoke of the need for more representation across sport and movement settings, and especially in men’s sport spaces.
- Data indicated that having out role models in sport, predominantly women, has a positive influence on young people and their relationship with sport. This is why young people value visibility of LGBTIQA+ people, which is our final secondary theme in this section.
- Witnessing LGBTIQA+ athletes as visible and celebrated for their sporting achievements and was seen as affirming and liberating for young people.
- Although there has been progress and more LGBTIQA+ athletes coming out, men’s sport is still underrepresented. In sporting cultures where LGBTIQA+ athletes are not visible or out, it sends a message to young people that LGBTIQA+ identities are invisible.
- Develop allyship programs and active ally related behaviours: In order to call out and reduce discrimination, LGBTIQA+ people need peers, coaches, and people alongside them to act as active allies. This might be through awareness campaigns, resources or infographics, and training on bystander intervention or responding to discriminatory events or incidents. This could be part of a broader program of allyship towards diverse groups, such as anti-racism and gender equity programs. In school-based settings, this could also link to gay straight alliances (GSAs), which have recently been established in some Australian schools.
- Girls Active National Reports 2024, opens in a new tab, Youth Sports Trust, (2024). The Youth Sport Trust have been conducting a Girls Active Survey since 2016, finding out what the barriers, motivations and perceptions are for UK girls in PE, physical activity and sport, both in and outside of school and how these differ to boys. In 2024 over 15,000 young people took part in the survey. Some of this year’s key results:
- More than 50% of girls agreed that they are inspired when they see females being successful in sport (61%) - 39% are also inspired by males who are successful in sport. More than 50% of boys agreed that they are inspired when they see males being successful in sport (65%) - 41% are also inspired by females who are successful in sport.
- State of Play Survey 2022-23, opens in a new tab, Change our Game, Victorian Government, (June 2023). Between October and November 2022, more than 670 Victorians answered questions on a range of topics relating to gender equality in sport, including values and behaviour in community sport, elite sport, sports media and coverage, leadership opportunities and perceptions, and experiences working and volunteering in sport. In relation to role models, parents of boys were significantly more likely to say their son had elite athletes they considered as role models compared to parents of girls.
- Black Diamonds Report, opens in a new tab, Glass Jar, (April 2022). The first of its kind, the Black Diamonds Project reviews the netball service delivery to ensure that the policies and systems of netball in Western Australia are transformed to better facilitate the engagement and retention of Aboriginal people to the sport of netball. This review took place between February 2021 and February 2022. The dominant method of data collection was Yarning Circles, a uniquely Aboriginal methodology, with four stakeholder groups, across two phases. Report highlights that many participants enjoyed coaching, mentoring, or being a role model (5th most common motivator for participation), and that they were inspired by role models in netball (6th most common motivator). The majority of participants who spoke about role models talked about Indigenous or familial role models, whether that was in reference to growing up on the side of the court watching their mum or aunties play, being exposed to other Indigenous players or coaches, or watching/interacting with elite level Indigenous athletes. Several participants talked about the part that role models play in terms of advocacy, and the importance of representation in terms of achievability or courage (she can do it, so can I), and safety. A lack of role models, especially at the elite level of netball, was also referenced as a barrier. The lack of Indigenous representation at the elite level of netball was compared with footy, which was described as having a more welcoming culture that respected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes. The lack of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coaches and umpires was discussed not just at the elite level but across the board.
- In the Game: Enabling Muslim girls to play sport and be active, opens in a new tab, Boz, T, Halilovich, H, La Trobe University, GippSport, Victorian Government: Change our Game, (2022). The experiences of Muslim girls and women participating in sport and physical activity are diverse, and can be influenced by a range of factors, including social, cultural, religious and economic factors. This summary outlines key findings from research that examined barriers to participation in sport and physical activity by Muslim girls, and highlights opportunities and solutions to overcoming these barriers. Some of the key barriers and challenges for Muslim girls in playing sport identified through this research included a lack of representation of Muslim women and girls in sport, contributing to the idea that they do not belong.
- Addressing the decline in sport participation in secondary schools, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission and La Trobe University, (November 2017). The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) partnered with La Trobe University’s Centre for Sport and Social Impact to conduct a research pilot involving secondary schools and sport sector partners to evaluate, measure and report on the impact of interventions. The findings build upon existing global research to provide a better understanding of what is successful in the Australian school context. The research identified: the groups of disengaged students, who they are, their barriers and motivations; the value of the sport-in-school relationship and how to build it; and strategies to enhance engagement through program delivery, deliverer and design. The research also collated: 10 Recommended development areas for sporting organisations currently delivering in secondary schools; and 14 Program design and delivery principles for creating new secondary school sport programs.
- Gender and sport choice remains one of the most recognised barriers to sport participation. In some schools, girls prefer traditional female sports and boys prefer traditional male sports. The growth and success of females in male sports such as rugby and Australian rules football is slowly shifting these stereotypes. Recruiting each gender into the opposite gender’s stereotypical sport requires a breakdown of perceptions by the sport, sport deliverers, teachers and students. Engaging (male and female) ‘sporty’ role models in the school to lead by example and participate in multiple sports will slowly change the culture in the school, encouraging younger students to follow.
- Australian kids need active, sporty parents - 2017, Australian Sports Commission, (2017). Research from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) shows active parents are more likely to have active kids. AusPlay collects data from only one randomly selected parent and only one randomly selected child in the same household. This report therefore does not consider the influence of both parents on child participation.
- 72 per cent of children who have at least one active parent are physically active in organised sport or physical activity outside of school compared to just 53 per cent of children with at least one inactive parent.
- Nearly 90 per cent of kids with at least one parent who plays and volunteers in sport are active in organised sport or physical activity outside of school.
- Those who only play without being involved as a volunteer in sport are also much more likely to have active kids compared to those parents who are not involved at all.
- While the activity habits of parents influence whether a child is active or not, there is also a link between parents’ sports preferences and what their children do. 31 per cent of children participated in the same sport or physical activity as one of their parent’s. Where at least one parent plays a club sport, 50 per cent of children also played that same sport.
- Case Study: Measuring the impact of the FA player appearances programme 2015-2016, opens in a new tab, Women in Sport, (2017). This report looks at the impact of elite sport stars on girls. The Football Association (FA) runs an established ambassador programme, enabling female football players to share their stories and inspire at a local level, with female players visiting schools and community groups for a number of years. Key findings reported are that player appearances provide a really positive experience for girls in school and community settings. Additionally, the four key impacts reported were: re-enthusing and validating girls’ participation in football; actively and meaningfully getting across positive life lessons; inspiring girls to believe they can achieve in football; and driving interest in the women’s elite game.
- Market Segmentation – Parents, Australian Sports Commission, (June 2015). The vast majority of parents agree that physical activity is good for their child. Having inactive children may reflect negatively on them as parents which can be a significant driver. Because of this some parents feel significant pressure to ensure their children are participating in some type of sport or physical activity. Parents will encourage an activity for reasons to do with: Safety (e.g. learn to swim), Physical or psychological difficulties, Status or identity, Future opportunities. Children will ask to do an activity mostly due to a direct stimulus from: Peers, Parents’ interest, Role models, Opportunity for trial.
- Beyond stereotypes: The role of exposure in reshaping Children's biases towards women as coaches in sports, opens in a new tab, Stjepan Sambol, Kara Dadswell, Clare Hanlon, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Volume 73, (July 2024). The underrepresentation of women in sports coaching, linked to discrimination and bias may, according to contact theory, be mitigated by increasing the visibility of women coaches, especially among children. Our study examined whether young athletes exposed to women coaches affected their explicit and implicit biases compared to unexposed peers. Seventy-five children aged between 4 and 17 years were evaluated using two explicit attitude measures and an Implicit Association Task. Results indicated that participants with women coach experience were more explicitly satisfied with woman coaches, preferred them more as potential coaches, and associated men with sports less than those without such exposure. Whilst exposure and implicit bias significantly predicted explicit satisfaction, exposure did not moderate the bias relationship. This suggests that exposure to women coaches reduces negative attitudes in young athletes but does not significantly affect the underlying influence of implicit biases, indicating a need for more comprehensive strategies to address gender inequalities in sports coaching.
- The motivations to play organised club-based sport in Australia, opens in a new tab, Rochelle Eime, Jack Harvey, Melanie Charity, et al., Leisure Studies, (1 May 2024). The aim of this study was to investigate the motivations to play sport across: age, gender, residential location and the settings, modes and level of participation. An online survey of sport participants asked about age, gender, residential location, type of sports and physical activities participated in, frequency and duration of play, and motivations for playing organised club-based sport. Survey respondents (N = 4,395) were aged between 13–92 years. The Self-Determination Theory, Fun Integration Theory, and relevant sport motivation research were used to develop the motivations for playing organised sport in the survey and the results are described and discussed based on this information. The main motivations were fun/enjoyment, physical health/fitness, performance/competition and social reasons. Motivations differed between demographic groups and across the lifespan. Sport policy makers and managers should focus on developing flexible and inclusive sporting opportunities that centre, on friendship, fun and skill development, and those diverse intrinsic motivations that better align with participants’ desires to play sport.
- Peer and parent influences on youth skateboarding and factors that affect their decision to return to the sport after injury, opens in a new tab, Barbara A. Morrongiello, Mackenzie Seasons, Emillie Erum, et al., Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Volume 70, (January 2024). The purpose of this study was twofold: to explore youths’ perceptions about the influences that peers and parents have on their skateboarding; and to identify factors that affect their decisions about returning to the sport after injury. Virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 youth, 14–17 years of age, who had experienced a medically-treated injury while skateboarding during the past year. Major findings indicated that sharing the activity with peers fosters psychological well-being, companionship, and a valued sense of community that motivates return to the sport even after serious injury and sometimes before they are fully physically ready to do so safely. Parental concerns about physical injury (vulnerability, severity) were acknowledged but not influential, with youth feeling that parents do not appreciate the valued mental health benefits that they experience from the skateboarding community. Youth reported withholding injury information from parents, hiding injuries and downplaying their severity, and not always disclosing returning to the sport. Youths’ decisions to return to the sport after injury was motivated by their feelings that skateboarding enhances their sense of identity, promotes their mental health, and provides respite because it allows them to escape from reality temporarily. Recommendations for reducing risk of injury to youth skateboarders at skateparks are provided.
- She Needs to See it to be it: The Importance of Same-Gender Athletic Role Models, opens in a new tab, Midgley C, DeBues-Stafford G, Lockwood P, et al., Sex Roles. Volume 85, pp.142-160, (January 2021). In four studies, we examined the importance of gender-matched athletic role models for women. Although both women and men may benefit most from exposure to high profile athletes in their own sport, women may have fewer motivating role models available to them. When asked to nominate examples of athletes, women were less likely than men to list same-gender examples and athletes from their own sport; even high-performing female athletes were less likely to nominate a same-gender role model than their male peers. Women were nevertheless significantly more motivated by the same-gender and sport-matched examples (Studies 1–2). We demonstrate that same-gender role models are particularly valuable for women because they provide evidence that success is attainable, better represent a possible future self, and counteract negative gender stereotypes. Thus, although they derive special benefit from exposure to female athletic superstars, women are less likely than men to find such role models in their own sport of interest and, consequently, may be at a disadvantage relative to men. The present research illustrates the practical value of role models for women, with important implications for media and educational programming.
- The influence of paternal co-participation on girls’ participation in surfing, mountain biking, and skateboarding in regional Australia, opens in a new tab, Meredith Nash, Robyn Moore, Leisure Studies, Volume 40(4), pp.454-467, (2021). This qualitative study explored the facilitators of 27 Australian girls’ participation in surfing, mountain biking and skateboarding. This article focuses on the value of paternal co-participation, which was notable in interviews with girls who surf or mountain bike. In particular, we examine the complexity of the role and influence of fathers in girls’ participation. Reflecting their position in action sports, men often shape how girls access these sports and develop their skills. This points to the importance of men and fathers in facilitating girls’ participation in action sports, and possibly broader physical activity behaviours. However, we argue that merely facilitating their daughters’ participation without addressing the experiences of women without male ‘patrons’ in action sports reinscribes male dominance rather than improving gender equity. This study contributes to established work that aims to inform policies and strategies to encourage greater participation of girls and women in action sports.
- “Dad! Let's go have a hit…”: Sources and types of support in female cricket players, opens in a new tab, John Warmenhoven, Juanita Weissensteiner, Clare MacMahon, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Volume 23(10), pp.991-998, (October 2020). This research showed that: mothers and fathers were primary givers of financial and emotional support (>70% for both parents across the entire cohort); mentors offered meaningful sport specific informational and technical (or coaching related) support; and siblings and peers played integral roles, acting as fellow participants for practice and play. Access to coaching also emerged as a dominant point of difference between community and elite cricket players consistently across all support providers. The father emerged as a dominant provider of support for elite players across five different dimensions of support.
- Where are the Moms? Strategies to Recruit Female Youth-Sport Coaches, opens in a new tab. Keidrich K. Strategies, Volume 33(5), pp.12-17, (Sep/Oct 2020). There are numerous benefits to sport participation among children and adolescents and coaches play a significant role in getting youth, especially girls, involved in sports and continuing participation in sports. Despite the advances of girls and women in sport participation since Title IX, the majority of youth sport coaches are men. Female coaches can be important role models for all youth in sport. The purpose of this article is to describe the benefits of having female coaches and potential strategies to encourage more women to coach.
- Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents: a mixed studies systematic review, opens in a new tab, Tamara May, Amanda Dudley, James Charles, et al., BMC Public Health, Volume 20, Article no.601, (2020). This study was focused on a comprehensive identification of barriers and facilitators at each level of the social-ecological model. From this process, gender and geographic location emerged as areas in which individual engagement with PA and sport was highly influenced by environmental, community, and policy factors. At the interpersonal level having family and friends who were active was one of the most commonly reported facilitators; and if they were inactive this was a barrier. This highlights the importance of participation in sport/PA for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, in that they act as role models for children. Programs which offer sporting participation options for all family members (children, adolescents and adults), which appeal to males and females, are accessible through existing transport and related infrastructure, and are committed to communities through formal partnerships are needed.
- Formative research to develop a school-based, community-linked physical activity role model programme for girls: CHoosing Active Role Models to INspire Girls (CHARMING), opens in a new tab, Kelly Morgan, Jordan Van Godwin, Kirsty Darwent, Alison Fildes, BMC Public Health, Volume 19, Article #437, (April 2019). The purpose of the current research was to gather views from preadolescent girls, parents, teachers and stakeholders in order to co-produce a multi-component school-based, community linked PA intervention programme. Girls reported that fun taster sessions delivered by role models would encourage them to participate in a school-based role model programme, with tailored taster sessions each week to enhance continued PA participation.
- Engaging Fathers to Increase Physical Activity in Girls: The “Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered” (DADEE) Randomized Controlled Trial, opens in a new tab, Philip Morgan, Myles Young, Alyce Barnes, et al., Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Volume 53(1), pp.38-52, (2019). This study evaluated the impact of a novel physical activity program that targeted fathers and their preadolescent daughters. Research suggests that fathers are often more likely than mothers to initiate co-participation in physical activity with their children. They are also more likely to use play and physical activity as a bonding strategy from a very early age and display an interaction style characterized by vigorous, stimulating, risky, and competitive physical play. Fathers also tend to provide a better model of sports skill performance, which is likely due to their increased opportunities and reinforcement to practice sports skills throughout life. For these reasons, co-participation in sport and physical activity is recognized as a core context where fathers form lasting bonds with their children. However, research suggests that fathers are more likely to share physically active experiences with their sons, which reduces their daughters’ opportunities for co-activity, sports skill development, and bonding. Qualitative research has shown that when fathers do engage in co-physical activity with their young daughters, these experiences are often cherished by both parties for life. As such, a clear rationale exists to target fathers as agents-of-change to improve the physical activity levels of their daughters. Compared with a control group, the program increased objectively measured physical activity levels at 9 months by approximately 1000–2000 steps per day in fathers and daughters, respectively. There were also sustained intervention effects for numerous secondary outcomes including daughters’ FMS proficiency, fathers’ and daughters’ screen time, several parenting constructs, and cophysical activity. Process evaluation data revealed very high levels of attendance, satisfaction, and retention.
- The “ripple effect”: Health and community perceptions of the Indigenous Marathon Program on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, Australia, opens in a new tab, Rona Macniven, Suzanne Plater, Karla Canuto, et al., Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Volume 29(3), pp.304-313, (2018). We examined perceptions of the Indigenous Marathon Program (IMP) in a remote Torres Strait Island community. Barriers to running in the community were personal (cultural attitudes; shyness) and environmental (infrastructure; weather; dogs). Enablers reflected potential strategies to overcome described barriers. Indigenous questionnaire respondents were more likely to report being inspired to run by IMP runners than non‐Indigenous respondents. Positive “ripple” effects of the IMP on running and broader health were described to have occurred through local role modelling of healthy lifestyles by IMP runners that reduced levels of “shame” and embarrassment, a common barrier to physical activity among Indigenous Australians. A high initial level of community readiness for behaviour change was also reported.
- Parent-Child association in physical activity and sedentary behaviour, opens in a new tab, Didier Garriguet, Rachel Colley, Tracey Bushni, Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 82-003-X, Health Reports, Volume 28(6), pp.3-11, (June 2017). This analysis examines associations between parental role modeling and support and children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour. The sample consists of 1,328 biological parent-child pairs from the first three cycles of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007 through 2013). Data on physical activity and sedentary behaviour were collected using a questionnaire and by accelerometer. Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were completed to examine associations between parents’ and children’s measured physical activity and sedentary time and reported screen-based activities. Analyses were adjusted for variables indicating parental support and household lifestyle characteristics. Accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary time were correlated in all parent-child pairs. Parents’ measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with children’s MVPA. For every 20-minute increase in a parent’s MVPA, the child’s MVPA increased by 5 to 10 minutes. Parents’ measured sedentary time was associated with that of their daughters on weekends, and with that of their sons during the after-school period. Parents’ reported screen time was associated with that of their daughters. This study confirms parents’ influence on their children’s physical activity. Parental role modeling and support have independent effects on a child’s level of physical activity.
- Elements contributing to meaningful participation for children and youth with disabilities: a scoping review, opens in a new tab, Claire Willis, Sonya Girdler, Melanie Thompson, et.al., Disability and Rehabilitation, Volume 39(17), pp.1771-1784, (2017). The search identified 9544 articles, of which 20 were included for review. Ten elements contributing to meaningful participation experiences were identified and organised as follows: person-based elements (n = 5; having fun, experiencing success, belonging, experiencing freedom, developing an identity); environment-focused elements (n = 4; authentic friendships, the opportunity to participate, role models, family support) and activity-related elements (n = 1; learning). Elements contributing to meaningful leisure participation are interrelated. This review reveals the substantial contribution that meaningful interactions and relationships have in creating and facilitating positive and engaging experiences. Outcomes of this review may assist professionals in the design of targeted interventions to facilitate leisure participation.
- The inspirational effect of sporting achievements and potential role models in football: a gender-specific analysis,, opens in a new tab Wicker, P., Frick, B. Managing Sport and Leisure, Volume 21(5), pp.265-282, (December 2016). This study examines the trickle-down effect of potential role models and sporting achievements, respectively. Specifically, it examined the inspirational effect of same-sex and opposite-sex role models on male and female participation in German amateur football. Longitudinal data on German football club memberships and amateur teams were collected for 21 regional football associations over a 15-year-period. The results found that sporting success does not automatically lead to the development of positive role models and inspirational effects.
- The Influence of Parents on Junior Australian Football Culture, opens in a new tab, Samuel Elliott, Murray Drummond, Chapter 10 in ‘Advances in Australian Football: A sociological and applied science exploration of the game, Australian Council For Health, Physical Education and Recreation, pp.101-109, (2016). For years, popular media has perpetuated the view that parental involvement in youth sport is problematic. Such reports have comprised an important catalyst for researching the wide suite of youth sport settings in an effort to better understand the nature of parental involvement. Although much of the literature has investigated the nature of controversial parental behaviours during competition, more recently, evidence has suggested that problematic sport-parenting can manifest in more discrete ways. For example, parenting practices such as debriefing with youth after competition has been found to be potentially stressful among young male participants. Consequently, it is important to further examine the parenting role to understand the influential role parents play in the youth sport experience. This chapter makes an important contribution in this regard by reporting findings from a large qualitative study involving over 100 parents, children and coaches involved in junior Australian football from across South Australia. The basis for the research emerged from widespread concerns about parental behaviour in popular press. The aim of the original study was to gain an authentic understanding of parental influence in the junior Australian football experience. This chapter brings into focus the way parents influence the construction and maintenance of junior Australian football culture. Based on the evidence, we argue that parents are key social agents in the way that notions of winning and club culture are constructed, which has implications for continuation and attracting new children to the sport.
- Paralympic Legacy: Exploring the Impact of the Games on the Perceptions of Young People With Disabilities, opens in a new tab, Janine Coates and Philip Vickerman, Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, Volume 33(4), pp.338-357, (2016). The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games aimed to deliver a legacy to citizens of the United Kingdom, which included inspiring a generation of young people to participate in sport. This study aimed to understand the legacy of the Paralympic Games for children with disabilities. Eight adolescents (11–16 yr) with physical disabilities were interviewed about their perceptions of the Paralympic Games. Thematic analysis found 3 key themes that further our understanding of the Paralympic legacy. These were Paralympians as role models, changing perceptions of disability, and the motivating nature of the Paralympics. Findings demonstrate that the Games were inspirational for children with disabilities, improving their self-perceptions. This is discussed in relation to previous literature, and core recommendations are made.
- The Fun Integration Theory: Towards Sustaining Children and Adolescents Sport Participation, opens in a new tab, Amanda Visek, Sara Achrati, Heather Manning, et al., Journal of Physical Activity and Health, Volume 12(3), pp.424-433, (2015). Working with youth soccer players (n = 142), coaches (n = 37), and parents (n = 57) identified 11 fun-dimensions (Being a Good Sport, Trying Hard, Positive Coaching, Learning and Improving, Game Time Support, Games, Practices, Team Friendships, Mental Bonuses, Team Rituals, Swag) and 81 specific fun-determinants. The top 10 determinants of fun were Trying your best, When a coach treats players with respect, playing well together as a team, getting playing time, getting along with your teammates, Exercising and being active, working hard, when a coach encourages the team, having a coach who is a positive role model, playing well during a game, Keeping a positive attitude. ‘Competition’ was number 21; ‘winning’ was number 48.
- “He’s probably more Mr. sport than me” – a qualitative exploration of mothers’ perceptions of fathers’ role in their children’s physical activity, opens in a new tab, Jesmond Zahra, Simon J. Sebire, Russell Jago, BMC Pediatrics, Volume 15, article number 101, (2015). Many children do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity. Parents can influence their children’s physical activity in a number of ways but little research has focused on the impact of fathers. The current study aimed to explore how mothers perceived fathers to influence children’s physical activity. Mothers suggested that fathers are directly involved in their child’s physical activity though co-participation, whilst additionally playing an important role in encouraging and facilitating physical activity. The results suggest some variation in how mothers and fathers are involved in children’s physical activity behaviours. Father availability seems to play a key role in the amount of physical activity involvement. Fathers play a key role in children’s physical activity choices and behaviours and can influence children in a variety of ways. Parents tend to share in the physical activity related tasks of their children but father availability seems to be a factor in their amount of involvement. Health professionals aiming to improve child physical activity may benefit from developing interventions that target both children and fathers.
- Role models of Australian female adolescents: A longitudinal study to inform programmes designed to increase physical activity and sport participation, opens in a new tab. Young, J., Symons, C., Pain, M., et. al., European Physical Education Review, Volume 21(4), pp.451-466, (2015). This study examined role models of adolescent girls and their influence on physical activity by surveying 732 girls in Years 7 and 11 from metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions of Victoria, Australia. Survey questions included whether they had a role model and if they did, the gender, age, type and sporting background of that individual. The survey found the majority of participants nominated a family member, peer or celebrity sportsperson as their role model who was female, played sport and was less than 50 years of age. Non-metropolitan-based adolescent girls and year 11 adolescent girls were more likely to select a role model who they knew played sport than metropolitan-based adolescent girls and Year 7 girls respectively. This study highlighted that family members, peers and sportspeople should be included as role models in programmes designed to increase physical activity.
- Student responses to physically literate adult role models, opens in a new tab, G. Conlin, Science and Sports, Volume 29, Supplement, p.S17, (October 2014). The objective of this study was to identify who adolescents recognize as a physically active adult role model that might provide the motivation and added confidence needed to become physically literate themselves. Parents, family members, friends, coaches and physical education teachers were identified as active role models. There were fewer instances of coaches and physical education teachers as active role models than the others during all three phases. There were more instances of physical education teachers as an active role model after the active phase than the spectator phase or at baseline.
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