A CASE STUDY INTO THE CARDIFF SCHOOL OF SPORT AND ATHLETIC UNIONS SUPPORT FOR NON-FOCUS SPORTS

Abstract

It has been suggested that Higher Education Institutions have a great impact on developing young athletes (Collins, 2010) and the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC)* has a history of doing just that (Cardiff School of Sport, 2011).Previous studies have identified that the University sport experience is not always satisfactory among the student population, and relies on factors such as support, individual performance, personal treatment by the coach, and team task contribution (Singh and Surujlal, 2006). As a result, this case study set out to explore the support provided by the Cardiff School of Sport and Athletic Union to affiliated sports clubs that do not enjoy ‘focus sport’ status.

Through a mixed method approach, using questionnaires and a focus group, six non-focus sport representatives gave their opinions of the support and services provided to their club by the UWIC Athletic Union. The representatives suggested that there were a number of areas for improvement and that there is a significant difference between what the Athletic Union claim to provide; and what these key stakeholders perceive to be the actual level of support delivered by the Athletic Union. The study highlights a number of important areas for improvement and suggests several ways in which provision can be enhanced.