TRANSITION FROM INITIATION TO DEVELOPMENT IN ICE-HOCKEY; PLAYERS, COACHES AND PARENTS’ PERSPECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate what factors facilitate young ice hockey players’ continuation or dropout from sport. The study considers active players’, dropout player’s, coaches’ and parents’ perspectives. The main model that is used in the study is push/pull/anti-push/anti-pull framework (Fernandez, Stephan & Fouquereau, 2006). Other models used in the study are the developmental model (Wylleman & Lavallee, 2004) and the career transition model (Stambulova, 2003). The interviews were conducted with eight participants including three active players, one dropout player, two coaches, one parent to an active player and one parent to a dropout player. Semi-structured interview guides based on Athletes Retirement Decision Inventory (ARDI) (Fernandez et al, 2006) were used. The results showed that friends and fellowship in the team were the biggest factors that facilitate for a player to continue in ice-hockey. Underlying factors that can influence a player to dropout are high amount of hard training and a lack of organization in the club. Factors outside ice-hockey that can influence a player to dropout is his will to focus more on school and socializing with friends outside the sport