Psycho-social attributes of elite African women volleyball players : sport psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psycho-social attributes of elite African women volleyball athletes. These psycho-social attributes included, the influence of significant others, reasons for specializing in volleyball, motives for participation and players' retirement prospects. Questionnaires were administered to 100 players from 10 countries who participated at the 16th Africa Cup of Nations for senior women held in Nairobi, Kenya. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, i.e. frequencies and percentages. Results indicated that the players had late entry into volleyball, 78% of them were influenced by family members to play volleyball, 81% continued to play the game due to success, and 64% envisaged that they would pursue careers outside sport after retiring from competitive volleyball. The study recommends the retraining of physical education (PE) teachers to design and implement volleyball talent identification and nurturing programmes. PE teachers and coaches should guide young volleyball players to further their education alongside playing volleyball so that they can have alternative career choices upon retirement. Further studies need to be conducted to unearth the technical and tactical shortcomings of elite women volleyball players in Africa.