Understanding the experiences in adult introductory sport programmes: a case study of learn-to-curl leagues

ABSTRACT

Little is known about the experiences of adults as they try a new sport. In this paper, we present findings from a qualitative case study where we sought to understand the experiences of adults trying the sport of curling in two introductory leagues in a central Canadian city. Findings indicate curling, as experienced by participants in these introductory leagues, can be effective in terms of building community and meeting the diverse needs of adults (e.g. providing opportunities to meet other adults). In particular, we identified the following themes: (1) bridging and expanding social connections; (2) valuing, acquiring, and improving skills; and (3) belonging as a curler? These findings represent primary characteristics that the league participants in this study valued and were searching for. This study builds on the existing adult sport participation literature by engaging Green’s (2005) theory of normative sport development to demonstrate important qualities programmers should consider in designing introductory sport and leisure programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Adult
• sport participation
• curling
• qualitative research
• case study

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank our study participants for contributing their time to this project and for trusting us to share their stories.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Simon J. Barrick

Simon J. Barrick is a PhD Candidate at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Kinesiology in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Simon uses qualitative research methods to explore the lived experiences of participants in grassroots sport and leisure programs as well as the impacts of sport mega-events on communities and individual sports. In his ongoing doctoral research, Simon is investigating the meaning of winter sport participation in the lives and integration processes of newcomers to Canada.

Heather L. Mair

Heather L. Mair is a Professor in the Recreation and Leisure Studies Department at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. Professor Mair’s work is focussed primarily on critical investigations of the role of sport, leisure, and tourism in the building of community, particularly in rural Canada.