Career Transitions – A Case Study

Abstract

The present case study analysed the transitional experiences of a semiprofessional/ professional footballer. The transitions focused upon are within the career of a single participant (n=1) as he fluctuated throughout the footballing pyramid from youth to first team football. The participant performed at reserve team football at semi-professional then made the progression to youth team at a Premiership side. The next transition experienced was from youth to first team professional football whilst at this club, before suffering a potential career threatening injury. The final transition experienced was being released from this professional side and playing again at semi-professional, having made transfers in between this demotion. Semi structured interviews were undertook to gather individualised, thorough data with relation to the experiences the participant faced during each specific transition. The interviews were inductively analysed using content analysis. A second meeting was implemented which was in place for the participant to clarify or expand answers. The results showed the complex and ruthless nature of transitions with many aspects (i.e. stressors, social support, coping and motivation) intertwining to give the individual both positive and negative experiences. From the research gathered, it is interpreted that transitional experiences vary in terms of how the individual appraises them. This study has made a range of practical implications obvious for coaches/manager’s. The importance of social support has already been alluded to within the literature with this study emphasizing the significance of it. There is still a need to research social support, specifically enhancing perceived support before transitions occur.