Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Many players experience transitions through their playing career (Wylleman, Alfermann, & Lavallee, 2004).The research on transition in sport has predominately centred on athlete retirement, few studies have examined the transition into elite sport (Bruner, Chandler and Spink 2008). The purpose of this study is to understand the complex issues that European female football players face through their International football pathway and the transitions they face through their football careers. The sample (n=17) were placed into three age categories (18-23, 24-28, 29-35) from six countries (Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Norway and The Netherlands) and were interviewed using semi structured interviews. Content analysis helped organize the raw data into interpretable and meaningful themes and categories. The findings offer preliminary evidence that the first two age categories have a smoother transition through their pathway although many self - sacrifices are evident, whereas the older age group found the transition into elite football far more problematic due to fewer support structures. This lack of resource is evident with the players having to plan sufficiently what they will do after their playing career has finished. The players do not earn anything close to their male counterparts and many of the players have to balance a part time job or education alongside their playing careers and adopting dual careers to enable them to have financial security in the future once their playing career is over.