Play more, enjoy more, keep playing; rugby is a simple game

Abstract

Drop out and attrition rates in youth sport are well-documented in the literature. Research has found that children overwhelmingly state that enjoyment, fun, and positive experiences are the primary reasons to participate in sport. Competitive Engineering (CE) is a structurally-based competitive climate process designed to create a more positive experience in youth sport. CE encompasses changes to league structures, equipment, pitch-size, and game rules. For example, rule changes that stipulate greater involvement (e.g., playing time) or action (e.g., increasing scoring opportunities) are designed to improve engagement. Despite this, few studies have examined whether CE-based rule changes influence factors known to influence drop out from sport. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a rule change in youth rugby whereby any player selected as part of a match day squad must play at least half a game or equivalent (i.e., the ‘Half-Game Rule’). To achieve this, we studied the influence of the rule change on player reported outcomes throughout the 2017/2018 playing season. Players who “always or almost always” experienced playing at least half a game more often than other players; reported higher enjoyment, than those who played less regularly ( F = 35.6, P < .001). Importantly, players who reported higher levels of enjoyment also reported greater intentions to continue playing rugby ( F = 6.4, P < .002). Findings support the use of CE to facilitate player enjoyment in team sports and could lead to reduced attrition in youth sport more generally.

The Role of Passion and Achievement Goals in Optimal Functioning in Sports

“…Thus, with HP, one pursues mastery goals that also foster positive psychological well-being, health, and relationships without neglecting performance [36][37][38]. Within this context, positive experiences in sport are known to promote enjoyment which is a determining factor in the sustained participation in sport [39,40]. Moreover, the recommendations of an expert panel on why children and young people drop out of sports affirm that in order to encourage young people to continue their sport involvement, success must be defined not in terms of victory, but rather in terms of positive participation which allows the development and mastery of skills [41].…”

Common Issues and Differences in Motivational Support and the Effects of Rugby for the U-15 and U-16 National Teams

“…The involvement of young people in rugby is favorably influenced by pleasant emotions (pleasure, the fun factor, and positive experiences) and are motivating factors for physical activity. The application of the half-game rule (where all selected players on the day of a match will play at least one round in the rugby match) generates superior involvement and increased pleasure, but also increases the intention to continue practicing the sport [14]. The motivations for Canadian women in terms of playing rugby (at the elite level) are varied and include the physical challenge and aggression, the desire to try a new sport, interaction and socialization with other players, a team environment, community and friendship, and the need to be a nonconformist [15].…”

Can discreet performance banding, as compared to bio-banding, discriminate technical skills in male adolescent soccer players? A preliminary investigation

“…This can ultimately result in the deselection of later-maturing athletes before they have a chance to realise the full extent of their athletic potential and could cause psychological harm and drop-out from sport in the worst cases (6). To address the above described issue, recent literature has focused on the enhancement of enjoyment, competitive equity and safety with a view to sustaining a young person's engagement in physical activity through positive experiences in sport (7,8). Concepts such as 'competitive engineering' involve the manipulation of game rules to underpin motivation and engagement whilst also helping to ensure that sporting activity is developmentally appropriate (7).…”

“…To address the above described issue, recent literature has focused on the enhancement of enjoyment, competitive equity and safety with a view to sustaining a young person’s engagement in physical activity through positive experiences in sport (7,8). Concepts such as ‘competitive engineering’ involve the manipulation of game rules to underpin motivation and engagement whilst also helping to ensure that sporting activity is developmentally appropriate (7).…”

“…To address the above described issue, recent literature has focused on the enhancement of enjoyment, competitive equity and safety with a view to sustaining a young person’s engagement in physical activity through positive experiences in sport (7,8). Concepts such as ‘competitive engineering’ involve the manipulation of game rules to underpin motivation and engagement whilst also helping to ensure that sporting activity is developmentally appropriate (7). Another emerging method of fostering competitive equity in youth sport is the practice of bio-banding which involves the allocation of youth athletes to groups based on their level of biological maturation and physical development (8) or, indeed, their relative age within a given year group in sport (9).…”