Introducing children to rugby: elite coaches’ perspectives on positive player development

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Author
Thomas, Gethin
Wilson, Mark R.
Date
2013-07-23Acceptance date
2013-06-20
Type
Article
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The overall aim of the study was to identify what elite coaches believed were the key components for organised rugby union participation during childhood (7–11 years old). Nine elite male rugby union coaches participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis identified the importance of an
age-appropriate competitive games pathway, where more specialised skills were
built sequentially on top of the foundations of basic evasion, handling and
tackling skills. The findings were generally supportive of the principles of the
developmental model of sports participation (DMSP). In particular, elite coaches
identified that an emphasis on less-structured games (deliberate play) and early
diversification (sampling) were beneficial for player development in the mini
rugby years (under 12). However, contrary to a strict interpretation of the
DMSP, the coaches also identified that appropriate adult involvement and organised
competition could be beneficial to development in these sampling years.
Journal/conference proceeding
Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health;
Citation
Thomas, G.L. and Wilson M.R. (2013) 'Introducing children to rugby: elite coaches’ perspectives on positive player development', Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 6(3), pp.348-365.
Description
This article was published in Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health on 23 June 2013 (online), available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2013.819373
Sponsorship
ESRC
Collections
- Sport Research Groups [620]
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