Program providers’ perspective: Recruitment and retention strategies for women in physical activity programs

Factors influencing women in physical activity programs in Malaysia

“…Testimonials from participants, emphasizing the positive benefits associated with being involved in programs that are organized with women in mind, would be valuable content for marketing purposes. The factors identified at the organizational level are similar to previous research in western countries (Milne et al, 2014;Sport England, 2014) and reinforce the need for providers to listen to the voice of their participants, rather than assuming that they know what women want (Hanlon et al, 2014). The similarities provide an opportunity for providers to collaborate with managers in their associated national sport or PA program in western countries.…”

“…The valued connection and support of friends and family involved in the program and the encouragement given by the instructor to the participants in this study are opportunities for additional marketing strategies for providers to incorporate. Even though research on recreation for different ethnic groups reported significant differences on the role of social support on their participation (Tinsley et al, 2002), the social factors identified in this study were similar to those identified by women residing in western countries (Jones et al, 2010;Hanlon et al, 2014).…”

“…Focus group discussions were used as they allowed participants to explore issues together (Kitzinger, 2006). For the purpose of this study, long-term programs were defined as PA programs tailored for women that had existed for over 3 years (Hanlon et al, 2014).…”

“…A key driver for many women to be physically active is a desire to be fit (Hanlon et al, 2010) and the development of an improved body image (Caperchoine et al, 2009). Key interpersonal factors for women participating in leisure-time PA relate often to social support from friends and or family (Eime et al, 2015b) or more broadly relating to perceived community and cultural expectations and backgrounds (Koca et al, 2009;Hanlon et al, 2014). However, women who come from a culture in which PA is not valued as an activity for women often lack family support for participation (Taylor and Toohey, 1999;Koca et al, 2009).…”

Sidelined: employment relations in professional sports

“…Equally, sports academics have not drawn extensively on the field of ER despite the growing importance of ER to the way sport is organised, conducted and governed. The sports management literature has looked at some HRM issues, such as the development of volunteers (Engelberg, Skinner & Zakus, 2014), job satisfaction (Taylor, Doherty & McGraw, 2015), gender participation in sports (Hanlon, Morris & Nabbs, 2014), diversity (Adair, Taylor & Darcy, 2010), governance (Yeh & Taylor, 2008;Ordway, 2014) and the working conditions of female coaches (Allen & Shaw, 2013).…”