The aim of this study was to review the available literature on the epidemiology of injuries in professional rugby, and then to collect data on previous injuries and the influence of external factors on rugby injuries. Secondly, the incidence, nature and circumstances surrounding injuries in a cohort of professional South African provincial rugby players were documented. The data collected was compared with available data in order to determine trends of injuries that, if taken into consideration, could possibly lead to the prevention of injuries to future rugby players. No study has been done on injury rate and frequency in the Currie Cup competition. Being the cornerstone of providing players for competitions like the Super 12 and Tri-nations, it is certainly appropriate to record the incidence and nature of injuries in the Currie Cup competition. This study attempted to identify factors associated with injury, to direct further analytical research and suggest measures to reduce injury rate. It also drew a comparison between results obtained through this study, and results obtained by other relevant studies in other competitions. The epidemiological data used in this study were collected from two professional rugby teams that competed in the 2002 Currie Cup Rugby Competition. This competition is held annually in South Africa and includes provincial teams from 14 regions in South Africa.

The study was undertaken to identify and evaluate variables that contribute to wildlife tourist satisfaction. Clark et al. (1999) argue that the hospitality and tourism industries are still relatively under researched. Therefore, this research is particularly important because it focuses on wildlife tourist satisfaction as opposed to customer satisfaction in general. According to Teye and Leclerc (1998), satisfaction is vital for ensuring sustainability of the tourism industry. Similarly, Bramwell (1998) argues that tourist destinations should offer exceptional and satisfying products and services in order to retain and attract more tourists. The study was conducted at the Chobe National Park (CNP), Botswanaâs largest and most popular national park. CNP is popular for its abundant and diverse wild species. Following the arguments on the importance of wildlife tourist satisfaction the study sought to establish how wildlife touristsâ experiences impact on their overall satisfaction. The study also assessed the extent to which Chobe National Park contributes to wildlife tourist satisfaction in relation to the identified variables. The convenience sampling method was applied and the success of the pilot study indicated the usability of the research instrument. The research utilised the SERV-PERVAL scale (Petrick 2000). The scale was developed to assess service quality and perceived value. SERV-PERVAL measures quality as a measure of the supplierâs performance. The measurement of quality is crucial because quality is argued to be the best predictor of perceived value. Data was collected by the use of a structured self-completion questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into three sections: demographic data, the SERV-PERVAL scale to assess questions on service quality, perceived value and satisfaction. The third section was a combination of a Likert scale and open-ended questions gathering information on expectations and motivations. The descriptive method of analysis, with tables and figures, was applied. The level of significance between variables was determined through the use of the correlation analysis, and the multiple regression model was utilised to investigate the contribution of variables to wildlife tourist satisfaction. The conclusion derived from the literature reviewed is that the concept satisfaction is core in the wildlife tourism industry because it involves feelings of wildlife tourists after experiencing wildlife tourism services. The literature has positively associated and it emphasised the importance of several concepts to wildlife tourist satisfaction. These concepts are: service quality, price and value for money, tourist experience and expectations. While the results of the survey condoned the significance of service quality, price, value for money and tourist experience to wildlife tourist satisfaction, they also indicated and emphasised the importance of wildlife-related variables. These are: safety measures from attack by wild animals, availability and diversity of wild species, condition of vegetation in the wildlife area and accessibility. It is through the use of these variables that wildlife tourists evaluate their experiences and rate their satisfaction levels. Some of the results are, however, in conflict with two arguments found in the literature. Firstly the results contradicted the argument that wildlife tourists assess their satisfaction on the basis of whether or not their initial expectations were met. Some tourists indicated they had a satisfactory experience and yet they did not have prior expectations before they travelled to CNP. As a result, touristsâ expectations were found not to be one of the critical variables that contribute to wildlife tourist satisfaction. Secondly, despite the argument that one benefit of tourist satisfaction is the revisits by satisfied tourists, satisfied wildlife tourists in this study indicated they were satisfied with their experience but would not re-visit CNP, mainly because they had other commitments.

All adults involved in childrenâs sport affect the nature of the sporting experience, and to a large extent determine whether or not it is a positive experience for children. Of all adults involved, the parents are perhaps the most important and play the most significant role in childrenâs sport. The purpose of this study was to examine how a group of competitive and professionally trained adolescent swimmers perceived parental involvement and how it affected their total sport experience. Participants in the study were 93 (45 male and 48 female) competitive adolescent swimmers between the ages of 13 and 22 years, who received professional coaching for 1 to 15 years, and trained for 5 to 11 months per annum. Respondents completed the parental involvement in sport questionnaire (PISQ). The questionnaire consists of three multi-item scales. The three scales measured Directive behaviour (DB), Active involvement (AI), and Praise and understanding (PU). A single item of Pressure (P) was included as a dependent variable. The questionnaire was designed to elicit responses about the behaviour of parents with regard to their childrenâs swimming activities. Respondents identified the frequency with which certain behaviours were (a) exhibited by, and (b) desired of their parents. Discrepancies between exhibited and desired behaviour indicated the extent of respondentsâ satisfaction with these behaviours. Single sample t-tests showed that respondents perceived insufficient levels of DB, and satisfactory levels of PU, AI and P from their mothers. The results revealed that swimmers perceived satisfactory levels of pressure from their mothers, which leads to the conclusion that they find the amount of pressure acceptable. Single sample t-tests to determine the behaviour of fathers, showed satisfactory levels of DB, which suggests that fathers exhibit an appropriate level of directing or controlling of their childrenâs sporting experience. This is in contrast with the excessive levels of PU, AI and P that the respondents perceive from their fathers. Respondents may feel pressured by disproportionate praise as this might be accompanied by efforts to take control to an unacceptable degree. A second questionnaire was distributed to assess participantsâ enjoyment of their swimming. This questionnaire consists of three questions measuring the enjoyment of sport. The data revealed that the majority of the respondents (92%) were very satisfied with their swimming experience in general and indicated that they enjoyed it to a large extent. The data suggests that the current level of pressure the swimmers experienced did not have any affect on their level of enjoyment. The study indicates that parents who express satisfaction with childrenâs sport performance, who interact positively with them, and who are generally positively involved and supportive in the childrenâs sport experience may enhance the enjoyment they derive from their sport participation. Optimal parental involvement in sport could be achieved by having well-organised, well-run programmes, and by providing parents with an opportunity to receive some education about the sport programmes in which their children are involved. A proposed document, âPractical Guidelines for Swimmersâ Parentsâ, was prepared in order to provide parents with a course of action to maximise their involvement. It is recommended that the above-mentioned document be distributed to the parents of the participants in this study.