![Page 1: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk
It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational footballers at a Charity Tournament
Keith Parry
Ian Jones
Centre for Event and Sport Research
Bournemouth University
UK
![Page 2: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 2
Research aim
• To explore the experiences of sub-elite players in a small scale charity setting
![Page 3: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 3
• How do preferences towards particular models of participation influence player experiences?
• How player values, goals, and expectations may lead to conflict with the intended ethos of
the event
![Page 4: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 4
Context
• The Iimia Shoot for Business Five a Side Charity Tournament.
• Held at AFC Bournemouth
![Page 5: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 5
• Experiences - subjective, emotional states laden with symbolic meaning (Holbrook and
Hirschmann 1982)
• Emotions – interaction between individual, values, and situation
Context
![Page 6: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 6
Values of Sport
Eitzen and Sage (1997) classified sport as Informal •Sport exists for enjoyment. •Governed by flexible and participant driven rules. •Organized•Formal use of codified, inflexible rules and regulations
![Page 7: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 7
Dubois (1980) - Process and Product Model of Sport Participation.
Product orientation•Winning is an end in itself•Leads to feelings of superiority•The pursuit of tangible rewards becomes important•Participants seek admiration and approval of others•Personal satisfaction in playing less important •Opponents are dehumanized.
![Page 8: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 8
Process orientation•Intrinsic value to be gained from participation•Extrinsic rewards are not sought•Excellence is found in quality rather than winning•Aesthetic aspects important. •Participants focus upon present, not the potential outcome. •Rapport exists between opponents because each is needed to bring out the best in the other.
Dubois (1980) - Process and Product Model of Sport Participation.
![Page 9: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 9
Coakley (2001)/Aicinena (2002) - Models of Sport Participation
Power and Performance Model •Strength, speed and power are emphasized•Excellence equals success•Winning valued more if sacrifice, risk and pain evident •Participants should not be concerned with injury. •Training should be technologically enhanced and scientific. •Opponents are viewed as enemies. •Only the best on a team should play. •If an unskilled athlete plays, it may cost the team a victory and this is unacceptable.
![Page 10: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 10
The Pleasure and Participation Model
•Playing is the reason for involvement. •There is a mind/body/spirit connection. •Participants and opponents are valued and needed. •The participant’s control of body and equipment, and skilled movement give satisfaction. •Domination and victory are not important. •Inclusion of weak and unskilled are desirable •Rules modifications to support pleasure acceptable•Decisions and power are shared between coaches and athletes.
![Page 11: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 11
Methodology
• Hermeneutic
• Case study
• In depth interviews
• Reflexive
• Inductive
![Page 12: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 12
Emerging Themes
Several key themes…
…Often experienced differently by members of the same team
![Page 13: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 13
Performance
• “For us it was good PR …winning or losing was
irrelevant really”
• “I wanted to get the best players I could…but
people I knew would be good ambassadors “
• I just want to be the best I can… it’s about
performance level for me and results”
![Page 14: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 14
“They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the Uni team were having a great time too because they were playing so well. One way was shown in laughing and joking
around and another in ‘yes we just scored a goal lets get some more’ “.
Performance
![Page 15: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 15
Competitiveness
“if there had been a 12 year old girl running around, then you let her score”
• “I was glad to see it was competitive...shirt pulling, fouling, that’s part of the
game”
• “you put a lot of blokes together in an
environment like that and give them a ball and it’s
going to get competitive”
![Page 16: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 16
Competitiveness
Reinforced by use of ‘Ringers’
• “it did become very competitive…when you have these corporate teams who
do it for the prestige they get in ringer players”
• “I was surprised some teams didn’t enter into the spirit of
it”But…
• “if we had lost the tournament then I may be
saying I wouldn’t have minded bringing in 1 or 2
ringers”
![Page 17: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 17
Legacies
“I would not join Organisation X as a result of that…and if I was a member I would probably have cancelled my membership because they
behaved in such a bad fashion”
“I’ve had that before…we played against two or three teams who really had a negative impact on
how we dealt with the company…often its not even players who work for the company”
![Page 18: It’s only a game: experiences of sub-elite/recreational ...eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/10481/1/It’s_only_a... · 14 “They knew they were terrible…they were having a great time…the](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022043017/5f3962c447ee3d34a02486be/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
www.bournemouth.ac.uk 18
Conclusions
Contrasting experiences of the event within a single,
cohesive team
Experiences linked to individual values of sport
(e.g. pleasure and participation/power and
performance)
Rather than context of participation (charity
tournament)