Motivational and amotivational factors to participate in women's rugby

Research aim was to establish motivational and amotivational factors for athletes to play rugby for more than five years. Qualitative research was chosen to solve the research problem. Interview method was chosen to collect information about the causes why so few female athletes choose to remain in rugby. The questionnaire guide included open questions. Research participants were asked what motivated them to go in for rugby, what they liked and disliked in training and playing the game, what they would like to change, and the core question was linked to quitting playing rugby. In Lithuania, rugby is played not only by athletes actively engaged in sport, but also those who play it ocasionally. On average rugby is played for five years, but research participants mentioned that their careers lasted for 3 to 6 years. Three main factors encouraged Lithuanian female rugby players to do the sport: friends, coaches and family members. Athletes mostly disliked three things in rugby - there were too few women's rugby teams in the country, too low motivation to play rugby, and poor attendance of practice sessions. According to the respondents, their team was negatively affected by poor attendance of practice sessions, poor interrelations in the team, and coach's inability to ensure the team spirit. Factors preventing athletes from continuing their careers in rugby were as follows: injuries, health problems, lack of time, and changing the place of residence. According to female rugby players, the main drawbacks of women's rugby were: poor funding; lack of players, competitions and outings; lack of advertising and publicity to the game; lack of teamwork and unity; and lack of motivation to play the game