Abstract

Recent advances in sport pedagogy have made a significant contribution to team and player development programs across Canada. Context based learning (CBL) has the potential to provide a powerful approach to team development by drawing upon authentic training environments, communities of practice, and learning-centred coaching practices in order to meet the diverse needs and circumstances of a masters soccer team. While CBL has been shown to be effective at enhancing critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills with adults in a variety of field and classroom settings, very little has been documented regarding its efficacy in team development programs for masters soccer players. Action research methodology was employed to evaluate the implementation of team development experiences for a select team preparing for the 2nd Universities Masters/Veterans 6-a-side Futsal World Cup in Switzerland. Data suggest that CBL organizes a team development program around issues relevant to masters players; ensures that the practice environment closely simulates the competitive context; engages masters players as stakeholders in the team development process; and enhances performance. This team’s outstanding development and record of success throughout British Columbia and in the United States led to participation in, and winning the 2006 and 2008 Universities Masters World Cup 6-a-side Futsal Tournaments in England and Switzerland respectively.