‘Net Mums’: a narrative account of participants’ experiences within a netball intervention

Abstract

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Back to Netball: Motivations for Participation in a Female-Focused Netball Sport Program

“…Within female orientated sport and physical activity research, the Self Determination Theory has played a key underpinning theory to explain and understand how autonomy, relatedness and competence (Cronin et al, 2018;Walsh et al, 2018;Nicholas et al, 2018) are key drivers of participation. Within this study what has become apparent is that the nature of the activity in addition to the coach's behaviours are both equally important in the motivation to engage female participants.…”

“…Within a successful female specific sporting program such as B2N, Cronin, Walsh, Quayle, Whittaker and Whitehead (2018) emphasised the importance of an autonomy supportive environment, where caring relationships are features of a successful program. Walsh, Whittaker, Cronin and Whitehead (2018) also found that social connectedness amongst team mates was a key factor in developing physical activity engagement within a female sporting program, such as netball. These concepts of autonomy and social support (relatedness) are two of three factors which underpin the self-determination theory (SDT) (Ryan & Deci, 2000).…”

“…Furthermore, as evidence previously by Cronin et al, (2018), Walsh et al, (2018) & Nicholas et al, (2018), it is important to acknowledge the environmental context, in that it should allow for the development of intrinsic motivation through social inclusiveness, autonomy supportive opportunities, which facilitate competence development. Although previous studies have shed some light in this area, specifically within the sport of netball, (Cronin et al, 2018;.…”

“…These individuals felt that their behaviour originated from their own needs, as opposed to being a response to external pressures or demands. Walsh et al, (2018) demonstrated that social support and the development of a social identity between mothers who engage in a netball program was a key factor in their physical activity engagement. Previous research has also highlighted the importance of social support and physical activity engagement (Wilson & Spink, 2009;Nicholas et al, 2018).…”

“…More specifically, in older females, social support has been found to be particularly important in that older females have reported greater social motives for being active than males (Kolt, Driver, & Giles, 2004). Within a team environment such as Netball feelings of social categorisation and relatedness can be developed, which in turn promotes prolonged physical activity adherence (Walsh et al, 2018).…”