The social support experiences of major junior ice hockey players in a physically removed region of Canada

J Sports Sci Med. 2007 Dec 1;6(4):393-400. eCollection 2007.

Abstract

The present report from a larger project overviews the sources and types of social support resourced by 10 major junior athletes while they performed out of one physically removed Canadian region. Retrospective interviews and content analysis were conducted during three stages (3, 3, and 4 respondents). The data were segmented into meaning units, coded into a hierarchy of themes, and verified by each respondent and an expert panel (former athlete, coach, parent of former athlete). The respondents sought out three types of social support from four different sources (providers) that were adapted to their remote location, including teachers and general community support. Implications are considered in terms of applied research and practice with aspiring adolescent athletes located in removed locations. Key pointsThe study extends knowledge about the sources and types of social support resourced by elite major junior ice hockey players located in one physically removed Canadian region.From the respondents' views, three types of social support were sought from four different sources.Implications are considered in terms of sport psychology research and applied practice.

Keywords: Regional; ice hockey; social support.