Sport migration from the UK to the US: The student-athlete experience

ABSTRACT

There has been an upward trend of student-athletes migrating to the US (United States) from the United Kingdom (UK). This study focused specifically on elite UK student-athletes’ motivations for migrating to the US and their perceptions of the transition on their athletic development. A qualitative research method was used to facilitate the development of this relatively new area. Three primary reasons for migration were identified: (1) the appealing nature of the recruitment process; (2) US university environment: conducive to athletic development; (3) idealistic expectations of US university experience. Five predominant influencing factors of their athletic development in the US were also identified: (1) nature of the coach-athlete relationship; (2) training demands; (3) exposure to high-level competition; (4) representing the university; (5) perception of sport as their job. Due to this study’s emphasis on sport, the researchers identified two new concepts: multifaceted perceptions of athletic development and positive reframing.

KEYWORDS:

• Sport migration
• student-athlete
• athletic development
• athlete transitions
• cultural transitions
• collegiate sport
• ‌international student-athlete
• NCAA sport

Notes on contributors

Stephanie Garrett, earned her BA in Psychology with a minor in Physical Education from University of Redlands and earned her MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Loughborough University, UK.

Emma Vickers PhD, National Lead of Research for Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme.

David Fletcher PhD and CPsychol, Performance Psychologist and Consultant, Director of Postgraduate Taught Studies, Co-Deputy Director of Doctoral Programmes, and Co-Deputy Leader of the Sport Performance Research Theme at Loughborough University.

Guy Taylor, National Director of Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme.

ORCID

David Fletcher http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0556-0360

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.