THE CULTURAL ISSUES THAT INFLUENCE PLAYERS TO SWAP RUGBY CODES FROM UNION TO LEAGUE IN A WELSH UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The fundamental purpose of this study was to discover the cultural processes that influence rugby union players to swap playing codes to rugby league, and the experiences they have in doing so. The study was carried out within a university where Welsh rugby union is the dominant sport. A number of areas were explored (masculinity, habitus, social space and space in a university setting) an attempt was made to link these studies to both rugby league and rugby union. This was done to try and clearly illustrate why these players swap codes. The data was gathered using two focus group interviews with the participants being rugby league "converts" from the university. The analysis revealed how these individuals came to swap codes within the university; it highlighted a number of reoccurring themes in relation to the subtopics mentioned above. The findings can help the reader to understand the ways in which; masculinity, social space and the structures within can influence people’s behaviours.