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Understanding dual career views of European university athletes: The more than gold project focus groups

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Capranica
  • Mojca Doupona
  • Ilvis Abelkalns
  • Ugis Bisenieks
  • Antonio Sánchez-Pato
  • Francisco José Cánovas-Alvarez
  • António J Figueiredo
  • Juan Alfonso García-Roca
  • Alejandro Leiva-Arcas
  • Lourdes Meroño
  • Anda Paegle
  • Liliana-Elisabeta Radu
  • Cristian-Mihail Rus
  • Oana-Mihaela Rusu
  • Hugo Sarmento
  • Janis Stonis
  • Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal
  • Vasco Vaz
  • Barbara Ghinassi
  • Pascal Izzicupo
  • Angela Di Baldassarre

Abstract

Previous studies have found that student-athletes (S-As) have difficulties in achieving dual career (DC) success. However, no studies have analysed the opinion of the S-As on the functioning of DC with a qualitative methodology. The aim of the present work was to collect the opinions of elite university S-As in relation to DC policy adopted by their academic institutions in different European countries. In total, 77 athletes (F = 35, M = 42; age range: 20–25 years) participated in 15 national face-to-face focus groups in five different countries, to discuss aspects that higher education institutes should implement in relation to: 1) the athletes’ needs; 2) assistance/tutorship: 2) curricula requirements; 3) financial support; 4) logistic support; 5) social support; and 6) dual career policies. Fifty of the athletes competed in individual sports and twenty-seven team sports. Of them, 57 was enrolled at undergraduate, 17 was enrolled in a master and 3 in a PhD. The athletes were presented with 13 open-ended questions one by one, and were ensured freedom to interact. All the discussions were recorded. After this, a general discussion took place in which the participants identified and agreed on a final list of statements from their focus group deemed to be relevant to DC athletes as university students. Then, at a consensus meeting, the findings were combined, repetitions were eliminated, and fragmented statements were condensed into broader ones. A final list of 31 statements, organized in six related content units, were identified in relation to the athletes’ needs (n = 5), assistance/tutorship (n = 5), curricula requirements (n = 4), financial support (n = 4), logistic support (n = 4), social support (n = 6), and DC policies (n = 3), respectively. In conclusion, this cross-national qualitative research study synthesized the S-As views about their needs and the most relevant DC policies and provisions that higher education institutes should provide to ensure them with positive academic experiences towards the achievement of a degree.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Capranica & Mojca Doupona & Ilvis Abelkalns & Ugis Bisenieks & Antonio Sánchez-Pato & Francisco José Cánovas-Alvarez & António J Figueiredo & Juan Alfonso García-Roca & Alejandro Leiva-Arcas & L, 2022. "Understanding dual career views of European university athletes: The more than gold project focus groups," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(2), pages 1-20, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0264175
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264175
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel J. Henderson & Alexandre Olbrecht & Solomon W. Polachek, 2006. "Do Former College Athletes Earn More at Work?: A Nonparametric Assessment," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 41(3).
    2. Matt Ryan Huml & N David Pifer & Caitlin Towle & Cheryl R Rode, 2019. "If we build it, will they come? The effect of new athletic facilities on recruiting rankings for power five football and men's basketball programs," Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(1), pages 1-18, January.
    3. Mateja Gorenc & Mojca Braz, 2020. "Factors affecting a successful coordination of sports and academic careers," Expanding Horizons: Business, Management and Technology for Better Society,, ToKnowPress.
    4. Giancarlo Condello & Laura Capranica & Mojca Doupona & Kinga Varga & Verena Burk, 2019. "Dual-career through the elite university student-athletes’ lenses: The international FISU-EAS survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, October.
    5. Masar Gjaka & Antonio Tessitore & Laurence Blondel & Enrico Bozzano & Fabrice Burlot & Nadine Debois & Dominique Delon & Antonio Figueiredo & Joerg Foerster & Carlos Gonçalves & Flavia Guidotti & Cate, 2021. "Understanding the educational needs of parenting athletes involved in sport and education: The parents’ view," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(1), pages 1-20, January.
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    1. Raluca Buhaș & Alexandru Ilieș & Sorana Săveanu & Paul Szabo-Alexi & Mariana Szabo-Alexi & Sorin Buhaș, 2023. "Socio-Professional Implications of Sports Events: A Perspective from Dual-Career Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-13, May.

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