“It's our little secret … an in-group, where everyone's in”: Females' motives for participation in a stigmatized form of physical activity

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

“…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;.…”

“…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).…”

“…This improvement of confidence then promotes the intrinsic motivation and the likely hood of a prolonged engagement in the activity. Furthermore, it is important to note that the participants in the Nicholas et al, (2018) study also demonstrated the development of feelings of autonomy, through having choice over the activity and relatedness, through acceptance and support.…”

“…Furthermore, males have been found to report a higher level of perceived sports competence than females (Overdorf, Coker & Kollia, 2016), which may account for why adult males are reported to be more physical activity than females. Nicholas et al, (2018) found that females engaging in pole dancing for the first time, expressed how the activity offered much opportunity to develop their competence (Nicholas et al, 2018, p. 111). The ability to develop competence and self-improvement within a chosen task in turn facilitates feelings of confidence through accomplishment (Nicholas et al, 2018).…”

“…Nicholas et al, (2018) found that females engaging in pole dancing for the first time, expressed how the activity offered much opportunity to develop their competence (Nicholas et al, 2018, p. 111). The ability to develop competence and self-improvement within a chosen task in turn facilitates feelings of confidence through accomplishment (Nicholas et al, 2018). This improvement of confidence then promotes the intrinsic motivation and the likely hood of a prolonged engagement in the activity.…”