The Connacht rugby player retention research program

There is an evidence base to suggest that player drop-out is particularly high among rugby players between the ages of 16-20. While there is some literature on proposed context-specific reasons for drop-out in the UK (Colby & Till 2017; Sellars et al., 2018), little research has been done in Ireland to explore the specific factors that may contribute to drop-out in youth rugby. The understanding of these factors may enhance the immediate sporting environment to retain players of both genders and to provide a sustainable framework to increase participation in rugby in the medium to long term.

The aim of this study was to explore stakeholders' perceptions of the push and pull factors linked to the retention of rugby players aged 16-20 years old in the province of Connacht in Ireland. The project was divided into three phases. Phase one of the project consisted of a review of the broader body of research literature on factors that influence dropout and continued participation in competitive sport for young people between 16-20 years of age. Findings from the review suggest that while factors associated with dropout from sport are complex and multifactorial, there are key factors surrounding an individual’s intention to continue in their sport or to dropout. Social factors, physical factors and contextual factors influence an individual’s level of intrinsic motivation which is a key determinant of an athlete’s intention to continue in sport.

Phase two examined a database held by the province, which tracks player participation, to identify factors associated with player retention. The database provided demographic information on youth players from U-13 to U-19 including team type, competition(s) and the total appearances for players participating in the region. Results showed that at each age grade examined, the median number of appearances for those that were retained were significantly higher than those that were not (p’s< 0.05) suggesting that the more appearances a player records, the greater likelihood of retention. Playing for multiple rugby teams or age-grades was associated with higher retention rates than playing for one team only (p’s<0.05), indicating that playing for multiple teams is not problematic for participation, at least in the short term. There was no association found between quartile of birth and number of appearances. This absence of relative age effect in Connacht is a positive finding.

Phase three consisted of a qualitative analysis of stakeholder perspectives of barriers and facilitators to continued participation in club rugby in Connacht. Eight stakeholder focus groups were conducted to assess perceptions of positive and negative aspects of rugby participation in Connacht associated with dropout and retention. Findings suggest that the elements inherent to rugby, the physicality, mutual respect, and the bond within the team environment, led to player enjoyment and motivated them to persist in rugby. Work/ study commitments were a barrier to continued participation in rugby, but these barriers were attenuated if the rugby environment and its gatekeepers (coaches, parents and peers) supported participant needs as players and individuals. These insights highlight context specific factors which will help guide policy on player retention in Connacht.