Roger Woodruff University of the Western Cape Supervisor: Dr. M. Young An Exploratory Study Of Essential Life Skills For Adolescent Elite Athletes In South Africa

Background To The Study “No Life Skills”. - Kick Off (2007 ) - Pressure that comes with being an elite player, their social lifestyle, lack of education by clubs and the lack of role-models /mentors. The Concept of Life Skills. - ‘Life Skills’ is a general term and refers to the skills that we use to make our lives easier and help us cope with problems and challenges. Definition of the term Life Skills. - “Psychosocial abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life”. (UNICEF) Career Assistance Programs. – Assists junior, student, senior and retiring or retired athletes with their participation, educational development and development and lifestyle issues. National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP). - To ensure that a holistic approach is taken towards athlete development one of the services that will be provided is life skills training. (White Paper on Sport and Recreation, 2010)

Problem Statement Which life skills should be included in a life skills program for elite adolescent athletes? Lack of research on content requirements of life skill programs for elite adolescent athletes. Aim The aim of the study is to explore and identify the important life skills necessary for inclusion in life skills programs in South African elite sport focusing on the development of adolescent athletes to enable them to grow up competent, healthy and reach their full potential.

Objectives To explore how elite adolescent South African athletes perceive their development whilst participating in a current life skills program. To explore the perspectives of elite adolescent South African athletes on the successful aspects of the current life skills program. To explore the perspectives of elite adolescent South African athletes on the limitations of the current life skills program.

Objectives To explore and identify the life skills current elite adolescent South African athletes deem as important for their holistic development to include in Life Skills programs in South African elite sport. To inform role players in South African elite sport of the life skills that should be included in a life skills program for elite adolescent athletes.

Research Methodology Research setting. Interviews were conducted with athletes on the Macsteel Maestro’s program headquartered at the SSISA and which operates in regional centres around South Africa. At present they are the only accredited providers of life skills of programs for elite adolescent athletes. Research instrument. The study employed a pure qualitative methodological approach. A semi-structured interview guide was developed utilizing the 5 C’s of Positive Youth Development (PYD) theory as themes to facilitate the interview process.

Research Methodology The interview guide included open ended questions to explore the athletes’ experience of a life skills program and identify the life skills adolescent athletes perceive as important to include in a life skills program. PYD is a strength-based conception of adolescence emphasizing growth and development. It stresses the importance of primary prevention by developing strengths and building competencies rather than treating pathology in later life.

Research Methodology Population and sampling. The study population is current elite adolescent South African athletes who have been part of the MACSTEEL Maestro’s Life Skills program for at least 1 yr. They were chosen as they have experience of a life skills program and should therefore be familiar with the concept of life skills. Male and female athletes between the ages of 16 and 19 from 3 regional centres were purposively selected to form the sample. This ensured that athletes from a variety of sporting codes, diverse backgrounds and representative of the country as a whole were included.

Research Methodology Data collection procedure. Voluntary consent was obtained from athletes as well as their parents or guardians for them to participate in the study. Interviews were scheduled with athletes at a time suitable for them. Data analysis. A thematic analysis approach will be followed and data analyzed through the lens of PYD.

Research Methodology Validity and Trustworthiness. A qualitative approach was employed and semi-structured interviews used to the collect data. Frequent discussions will be held with the supervisor during the summarization and extraction process. A journal will be kept throughout the study. Ethics Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of the Western Cape and their ethical guidelines followed. Permission to conduct the interview was obtained from MACSTEEL Maestro’s.

Challenges & Preliminary Results Challenges. Arranging interviews. Life skills is a service. Preliminary results. Life skills needed to manage their personal lives. – “Maybe school…sport and school ja.”

Preliminary Results Life skills needed to be successful in sport. - “you have to set out your goals first, and then you have to train for it.” Planning for a life after sport. – “ if you pick up an injury now, you must have a back-up plan because that injury might be a chronic injury and you must have a back-up plan.” Important life skills. – “I think that setting goals for oneself is really important …you need to go and study further so you have that degree and you can at least have something that you can depend on like a business or something like that.” Essential life skills. – “Respecting differences at the moment especially like with religion I think is a big thing…”

Thank You For Your Time