Abstract
Significant others are those who have a substantial influence in one’s life and who are emotionally invested in the individual. In the elite sporting context key significant others are parents and partners Their role in supporting the athlete is a major contributor to the development of the athlete’s sporting identity and success. Major life transitions, such as the retirement from elite sport are often shared experiences, with the athlete’s transition out of sport having the potential to impact their significant other. While the experiences of athletes transitioning into retirement are well-known, the experiences of significant others such as parents and partners are under-researched. This paper presents findings from a qualitative research study on the experiences of partners and parents of elite athletes in supporting an elite athlete through their career and into retirement from sport and how their own identity and role changed along with the athlete’s once removed from the culture of the competitive sporting environment and its demands. Findings suggest that elite athlete retirement has a significant impact on parents and partners personally, financially, and emotionally and as such there is a need to include significant others in retirement preparation planning. Sporting organisations need to better understand and support the role of significant others particularly through the transition into retirement so that they can create a culture that supports the key supporters of elite athletes. This study adds insight to the relational aspect of retirement transition through exploring the experiences of partners and parents of elite athletes.
Presenters
Deborah AgnewAssociate Professor Sport and Active Recreation, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia Doughlas Mathew Pierre
Research Assistant/Tutor, Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University South Australia, South Australia, Australia Elizabeth Abery
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Sporting Cultures and Identities
KEYWORDS
Athlete retirement, Significant other, Support
