This presentation is based on doctoral work in progress dealing with social development through sport. Recent research (Bronfenbrenner & Evans, 2000; Fraser-Thomas, Côté, 2009; Oliver, Hardy & Markland, 2010) brought evidences that different ecologies of practice produce different personal outcomes for the athletes who engage in competitive settings for long periods of time. The purpose of the study is to explore how significant others experience on the ecology of the practice environment through a professional sport orientation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to 11 significant others with an active role in the club, content analysis was used and participant observation along with field diary were also completed during this longitudinal study in the 2011/2012 sport season.
The professional club environment served as an enhancer of attitudes from young athletes. A detailed range of important practice behaviors and attributes emerged, with specified social outcomes, providing a framework for identifying productive approaches to training among athletes. Significant others perceived consistent social skills acquired to youth ecological sport practice such as perceived autonomy, resilience, group sense and self-efficacy, although there is a clear notion of professionalism aspiration and sport trajectory alongside with the notion that the club offers recognition and status to youth athletes. Adults see sport participation as having a strong positive role. The research concluded that the holistic ecological approach constitutes an important supplement to the contemporary literature on athletic social role in society.
Domingues, M & Gonçalves, CE
Faculty of Sport Sciences. University of Coimbra
