Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

This thesis investigates how sports organisations and discourses have impacted on the sports participation of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Australia. A series of national participation studies have documented that women from minority ethnic backgrounds have significantly lower participation rates in sports and physical activity than Anglo-Australian women. However, the explanations and dimensions of this difference have not been examined in previous research. The experiences of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are used in this thesis to explore sports discourses and organisation and the embodiments of their interrelationship. The present research proposes that sports organisations and discourses within Australia have historically served to marginalise women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The arguments for this position are explored using a local narrative which details the situated nature of women????s experiences of sports. These experiences are located within a historical context that traces migration policies, the growth and development of sports and women????s social relations since white settlement of Australia. It is argued that contemporary sports discourses and organisation are inextricably tied to Australia????s colonial and imperialist past. Theories of ethnicity, gender and sports are analysed. The theoretical perspective taken in this thesis builds on feminist ideologies and ethnicity studies. Empirical analysis is undertaken using gender relations to situate sport as a site of cultural struggles best understood through investigations of history and diversity. Aspects of power, control and influence are central to this thesis. The empirical component of this thesis uses secondary data sources, surveys and interviews to investigate the research proposition. This is achieved on two levels. The first level interrogates existing data to create a macro level analysis of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in sports. A survey of 972 schoolgirls was undertaken to collect information on sports participation and attitudes to sports. This was followed by 30 interviews with women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds that explored individual sports experiences and perspectives on sports. The second level of investigation employed the case study of netball to examine the research question as it related to a specific sports organisation. The case study component of the research involved document and archival analysis, a survey of 372 netball players and interviews with 18 women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and former and current netball administrators. The thesis analyses the empirical data as it relates to the organisation and discourse of sports in Australia. The principal conclusion reached is that sports organisation and discourses are located within a societal power structure that places women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds on its margins. Sports participation is predicated on conformity to existing cultural practices and expectations and it does little to facilitate cultural diversity. The women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who participated in the research did not perceive sports as particularly inclusive of gender and culture. The examination of netball demonstrated that netball has not been concerned with ????other???? women, rather it has focussed its efforts on appealing to ????mainstream???? women. While netball has not explicitly excluded the involvement of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, neither has it actively encouraged cultural diversity. This thesis makes a contribution to knowledge in the field of sports studies with its empirical research and through the ensuing development of a framework for locating the implications of inclusion or exclusion in sports organisations and discourses. This understanding can be used to assess and inform future sports policy development and practice. Principally, the thesis seeks to acknowledge and legitimise the sports experiences of women from diverse backgrounds and in doing so provides insights into a better theoretical understanding about the nexus of gender, ethnicity and sports.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 160-180.

Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a customised training programme on the physical components of first league netball players. The key physical variables that affect netball performance were identified as aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, power, muscle strength, flexibility, speed, agility, and muscle endurance. The fitness tests and norms used in this study were mainly based on the Australian protocol, “Physiological Tests for the Assessment of Netball Players”. Two netball clubs in the Boland participated in this study. These two teams played in the same netball league, but they were not matched in any other way. The experimental group (n=14) followed the customised training programme, while the control group (n=16) followed their normal training sessions. After baseline testing, the experimental group completed 23 training sessions in which specific aspects of netball fitness were addressed. After 16 weeks, both groups repeated all the tests. Through statistical analysis, the effect of the training programme was determined, and the differences between the experimental and control groups were quantified. Results of the study revealed the following: 1. The experimental group was statistically significantly better in all the fitness tests during baseline testing, compared to the control group. 2. Power improved significantly through this customised training programme. 3. Although only a few variables changed significantly after the training programme, the experimental group did perform better in most fitness tests after the programme. This study shows that a customised training programme has the potential to improve certain aspects of a netball player’s fitness. The programme should, however, be longer and more sport-specific to produce the desired results. Top netball players should rely on not only their netball skills to be successful, but should also develop their physical capacities optimally.

Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The ability to execute a powerful throw is an essential skill for netball and cricket players. Numerous accurate, powerful throws are being made during the course of a match. It is thus necessary to focus on the development of excellent technique, as well as the development of the physical aspects that might contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the throwing action. The aim of the study was to determine which specific physical factors play a significant role in the distance that netball and cricket players can throw a ball. The distance of the thrown ball was also seen as an indirect measure of the power with which the throw was executed, with a greater distance implying more power. A group of volunteer subjects was drawn from the local netball and cricket clubs from the Stellenbosch area. Thirty nine injury-free, club level subjects participated in the study, of whom twelve (n=12) were male and twenty four (n=24) were female. Various physical factors were selected that give an indication of its contribution to a powerful throw for distance. Range of motion assessments involved the range of the shoulder joint, as well as the elbow joint, wrist joint and the back. The strength of the internal rotators was compared to the strength of the external rotators in the shoulder joint. Core stability was assessed by doing two different tests, with one involving shoulder stability as well. The relationship between upper-limb length and the throwing distance was assessed. Various anthropometric measurements were done, including height, weight, skinfolds, and the “wing span”. Throwing for distance was measured while the subjects remained seated on a chair. This throwing position was chosen in an attempt to eliminate the contribution of the kinetic chain that generates momentum in the lower extremities which get transferred to the upper extremities. It was thus an attempt to only focus on the involvement of the upper extremities. This seated throwing position is also often used as a test for throwing ability in athletes. Throwing for distance was also done with the subject strapped onto the chair to exclude the involvement of the core in the transfer or generation of energy. Results from this study showed that there were very few physical factors that had significant correlations in both groups. In the cricket players, factors from the isokinetic testing played a significant roll, but not in the netball players. There was a significant correlation which was positive with the average peak torque concentric/concentric 180 degrees/second with external rotation seated on the chair (r=0.46; p=0.03). There is also a tendency towards a significant correlation when the subject was seated in average peak torque concentric/concentric at 90 degrees/second both with internal (r=0.52; p=0.06) and external rotation (r=0.62; p=0.05). The peak torque concentric/concentric at 90 degrees/second during external rotation (r=0.61; p=0.06) and the peak torque concentric/concentric at 90 degrees/second during internal rotation (r=0.49; p=0.06). Both tended to a correlation but were not significant. There was found to be a few positive and statistical significant factors the average power concentric/concentric contractions at 90 degrees/second during external rotation when seated on the chair (r=0.64 and p=0.03) and average power concentric/concentric contractions at 180 degrees/second during external rotation when seated on chair (r=0.58; p=0.04) as well as strapped in on chair (r=0.06; p=0.03). It cannot be concluded there are any specific physical factors that would influence the distance thrown in both the netball and the cricket players. It can thus be assumed that a number of other factors might play a more important role in the execution of a powerful throw for distance, such as the involvement of the total well-coordinated kinetic chain, and the throwing techniques.

Thesis (M Sport Sc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The running industry has seen a lot of changes over the past years. Minimalistic footwear and barefoot training are redefining the running industry and community. These new developments have led to extensive research being conducted on the effects of barefoot running on kinetics, kinematics, energy expenditure and the prevention of injuries. Most of the shoe manufacturers have come up with an idea to mimic barefoot running. Barefoot running has shown to increase running economy and decrease impact forces. Inconclusive evidence exists as to whether barefoot training improves proprioception and muscle strength or reduces running-related injuries. The primary aim of the study was to determine the effects of barefoot training on speed, agility, power and balance in netball players. Twenty women netball players (age: 20 ± 2 years) volunteered for the study and were randomly assigned to the barefoot group (n = 10) and the shod group (n = 10). All participants had to attend at least 14 training sessions, where the barefoot group gradually increased the barefoot exercise time. Speed, agility, vertical jump height, single leg stability and lower leg circumferences were measured prior to and after completion of the intervention programme. At the completion of the intervention programme, participants had to give verbal feedback regarding their subjective experience of barefoot training. Seventy percent of the barefoot participants preferred barefoot training to shod training. The speed test showed a small improvement over 10-metres (P > 0.05), but not over 20-metres (P > 0.05).Agility had a significant improvement (0.14 seconds ± 0.10 seconds; P < 0.05) on the left and right leg (0.19 seconds ± 0.07 seconds; P < 0.05) for the barefoot group. There was also an improvement in the single leg stability with the right leg showing a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in anterior/posterior, medial/lateral and overall stability for the barefoot group. All except the left anterior/posterior index had a small practical effect post-intervention. No significant increases were found in the circumferences or the vertical jump height. The results show that barefoot training results in improved agility and single leg stability, compared to shod training. The effect it has on the prevention of injuries could not be determined, as the duration of the study was too short. In conclusion it can be deduced that barefoot training has a positive effect on agility and stability, thus possibly leading to improved performance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar het baie veranderinge in die hardloopwêreld plaasgevind die afgelope paar jaar. Minimalistiese skoene en kaalvoetoefening is van die grootste redes daarvoor. Baie navorsing oor die effek van kaalvoet hardloop op die kinetiese en kinematiese veranderinge in die voet, sowel as die energieverbruik en die voorkoming van beserings is die laaste tyd gedoen. Die meeste van die groot skoenvervaardigers het ook nie agtergebly nie en spog elk met hul eie minimalistiese skoen. Daar is reeds bewys dat kaalvoetoefening effektiwiteit tydens hardloop verbeter en dat die kragte wat op die liggaam inwerk tydens kaalvoetaktiwiteite, minder is tydens kaalvoethardloop as wanneer daar met skoene gehardloop word. Baie navorsers beweer ook dat kaalvoetoefening propriosepsie en spierkrag verbeter en dat oefengeïnduseerde beserings verminder word as gevolg daarvan. Hierdie bewerings is egter nog nie deur die navorsing bewys nie en kan dus net as bewerings gesien word. Die hoofdoel van die studie was om die effek van kaalvoetoefening op die spoed, ratsheid, plofkrag en balans van netbalspelers te bepaal. Die steekproef het uit 20 vroulike netbalspelers bestaan (ouderdom: 20 ± 2 jaar), wat lukraak in die kaalvoet- (n = 10) en die kontrole groep (n = 10) opgedeel is. Daar is van die spelers verwag om ‘n minimum van 14 oefensessies by te woon. Tydens die oefensessies het die kaalvoet-groep die hoeveelheid tyd wat hulle kaalvoet oefeninge doen stelselmatig vermeerder. Spoed, ratsheid, vertikale sprong hoogte, eenbeen stabiliteit en omtrekke van die onderbeen is voor en na die intervensieprogram gemeet. Die spelers hetverbale terugvoering gegee oor hul ervaring van kaalvoetoefening. ‘n Meerderheid van die deelnemers (70%) het kaalvoetoefening bo oefening in skoene verkies. Daar was ‘n effense verbetering in die 10-meter spoedtoets (P > 0.05), maar oor 20-meter kon dit nie volgehou word nie. ‘n Betekenisvolle verbetering tydens die ratsheid toets is waargeneem vir die linker- (0.14 sekondes ± 0.10 sekondes; P < 0.05) en regterbeen (0.19sek ± 0.07sek; P < 0.05) van die kaalvoetgroep. Daar was ook ‘n verbetering in die stabiliteit van die regterbeen in die anterior/posterior, mediaal/lateraal en algemene stabiliteit (P < 0.05). Daar was ‘n klein praktiese effek in al die post-intervensie metings ten opsigte van stabiliteit, behalwe vir die anterior/posterior indeks van die linkerbeen. Geen betekenisvolle verskille het na die intervensie voorgekom vir die plofkrag of onderbeen omtrekke nie. Die resultate van die studie dui daarop dat kaalvoetoefening kan lei tot ‘n verbetering in ratsheid en stabiliteit. Die invloed wat kaalvoetoefening het op die voorkoming van beserings kon egter nie bepaal word nie, aangesien die duur van die studie nie lank genoeg was nie. Die gevolgtrekking van die studie is dat kaalvoetoefening ‘n positiewe effek op ratsheid en stabiliteit het, dus kan dit ook moontlik ‘n positiewe effek op prestasie hê.

The main reasons behind women's participation in sport have been identified as team membership, cooperation and friendship. This is seen in contrast to competition, status and possible career opportunities found in relation to men's participation in sport. Research also suggests that participation in physical activity and sport increases women's sense of well- being and acceptance of body size and shape. This thesis set out to explore the sporting experiences of women within rugby, cricket and netball. The first aim of the research was to investigate the participation motivation of women within three sports that differ in their levels of acceptability and required physical contact. The second and third aims were to examine how that participation might affect the development of self-esteem and body satisfaction. The fmal aim of the thesis addressed the issue of sporting identity development through exploring how participants in physical/non-physical, 'feminine'/'masculine' sports reflect on their sporting experiences. In addition the thesis considered how distinct parts of sporting participation such as clothing, team dynamics, physical contact and perceptions of sexuality synthesise to form the sporting identity of women rugby players, cricketers and netballers. The research was based on Constructivist/Interpretivist principles and combined both quantitative and qualitative methods. Initially, three questionnaires were used to assess participation motives (Participation Motivation Questionnaire), body image (Multi dimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire) and self-esteem (Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory). The questionnaires were sent to rugby players, cricketers and netballers through their organising bodies. Following the questionnaire stage of the thesis, 30 interviews were conducted to further explore the relationship between participation in sport, perceptions of femininity and the function the body took in developing body satisfaction. Key to the investigation was how sport participation impacted on identity development and the strategies used to maintain that image. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the interview accounts, focusing on the meanings given to sport by the individuals themselves. Social constructionism was used as a framework for interpreting the data. This produced a rich account of sporting experience highlighting how body satisfaction and perceptions of femininity are constructed and reconstructed by sportswomen. Findings from the questionnaires indicated that all sports rated team membership as the most important reason to participate in sport. Key fmdings demonstrated that satisfaction with physical appearance was strongly related to body areas satisfaction and global self-esteem for all sports. There was also no difference between sports on perceptions of physical attractiveness and all sports demonstrated significant relationships between satisfaction with physical appearance and body functioning. Following Stage One of the research process an interview schedule was developed that combined the key fmdings from each questionnaire and questions raised from the literature. The main findings from Stage Two highlighted how important sport is to these women, indicating a variety of techniques used to sustain an athletic image. It was also found that perceptions of femininity focused on the association of physical activity and sexuality. The assumption being that regardless of sport choice women were perceived as lesbian. Other key findings highlighted the transiency of body satisfaction. This refers to increases in body satisfaction through playing sport not being sustained once the athlete has transferred herself to a social context. Other findings relate to the use of the body in sport and the enjoyment of overpowering an opponent. School experiences of sport are identified as key to the development of gender stereotypes and why being regarded as a 'sporty' person is so important. The research on which this thesis is based suggests that sport comes to play an integral part in these women's lives and an activity that guided overall identity development. The thesis also highlights the transiency of body satisfaction and the inevitability of the lesbian stereotype due to participation in sport. The social constructionist interpretation of the data suggests how the shared vocabularies of body idioms that individuals embrace and use to judge other people determine the way in which we value physical behaviours and define physical attractiveness. The respondents demonstrated that regardless of prejudice and poor funding they still want to and enjoy the experience of sport participation. Potential research opportunities are also identified.

The focus of this study is injured female netball players‟ motivation when they return to their sport from serious injuries. The purpose of the study is to provide a rich description of the motivation which allows these players to return to their sport and continue in their chosen field. Motivation is a vital component in injury rehabilitation, as it provides the drive that allows rehabilitation to occur. Two theories of motivation are examined in this study, namely the achievement goal theory of motivation and the theory of intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and amotivation. These theories highlight the argument that motivation occupies a continuum between being internally or externally determined. A qualitative phenomenological perspective was used to investigate the motivation of injured netball players. This made it possible to explore individual players‟ experiences of their injury. A semi-structured interview was conducted with each player to allow each player‟s experiences to be heard. The interviews were then transcribed. Thematic content analysis of the transcribed interviews revealed two main themes: the inevitable return and identity. The analysis showed that, for these netball players, their motivation to return to playing netball was based on an internal drive to regain an inherent part of their identity. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Mental skills are critical to the development of a positive mind-set in the athlete in order to develop the ability to concentrate more, focus attention, manage arousal, develop self-esteem and thereby enhance self-confidence in competitive sport. This study was an exploratory study to investigate how well Zimbabwean inter-collegiate athletes were prepared mentally and how this was handled during their participation in inter-collegiate games. The study focused specifically on just one group of athletes, netballers.

Thesis (PhDSportwet)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of participation in a special squad-based talent development programme on selected physical variables and skills in adolescent girls. This investigation was initiated in the team sport of netball in order to determine if participation in a talent development programme of this kind can be successful in the South African context. A second purpose was to consider the effectiveness of the squad-based model in relation to the traditional school-based model that is commonly implemented for talent development in South African netball. This study followed a static group design in a field setting. The squad-based group (N=22) was composed of netball players ages 14 – 18 years old from two senior high schools in a previously disadvantaged community. The school-based group (N=45) was composed of netball players from the first and second teams at three schools in the same region, that maintained a good standard of netball and had qualified coaches. The subjects in the squad-based group participated in a special eight-month training programme, which consisted out of 2 training sessions (90minutes) and 1 match per week. The subjects in the school-based group participated in their normal pattern of netball practices and school matches. The results of this study lead to some general conclusions about the squadbased training model: • Four components of skill development improved significantly • Significant changes were found in four of the physical variables associated with netball performance. • The squad-based model appeared to have been significantly more effective than the school-based model in the development of the physical variables of flexibility, speed, throwing velocity and aerobic fitness.Based on the results the squad-based model is proposed as an approach to talent development that can make a significant contribution to the development of skill. Continuous refinement of current models and even the creation of new models, may one day create systems where every child can reach toward his or her own sporting potential. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie behels die deelname van ‘n geselekteerde oefengroep adollessente meisies aan ‘n talentontwikkelingsprogram. Die doel van die studie was om die invloed van deelname aan sodanige program op gekose fisiek- en vaardigheidskomponente na te gaan. Netbal, as ‘n spansport, is gebruik om te bepaal of hierdie tipe talentontwikkelingsprogramme suksesvol in die huidige Suid- Afrikaanse konteks kan wees. ‘n Verdere doelwit was om die effektiwiteit van hierdie oefengroepmodel teenoor die meer tradisionele skoolgebaseerde-model, wat tans algemeen in Suid-Afrikaanse netbal toegepas word, na te gaan. Die studie het ‘n statiese-groepontwerp gevolg in ‘n veldtoetsing omgewing. Die oefengroep (N=22) het bestaan uit netbalspeelsters tussen die ouderdomme 14-18 jaar, van twee senior hoërskole vanuit die agtergeblewe gemeenskappe. Die skoolgebaseerde groep (N=45) het bestaan uit speelsters van die eerste en tweede netbalspanne van drie skole in dieselfde streek. Hierdie drie skole beskik oor gekwalifiseerde afrigters en handhaaf ‘n hoë speelstandaard. Die speelsters van die oefengroep het aan ‘n spesiale agtmaande oefenprogram deelgeneem, met twee oefensessies per week (90 minute) asook een wedstryd per week. Die netbalspeelsters in die skoolgebaseerde-program het hulle normale oefenpatroon gevolg en aan skoolwedstryde deelgeneem. Die resultate van hierdie studie het gelei tot sekere algemene gevolgtrekkings omtrent die geselekteerde oefengroepmodel: • Vier komponente van die spelvaardighede het statisties beduidend verbeter. • Beduidende statistiese veranderinge is waargeneem in vier van die fisieke komponente wat met netbal geassosieer word. • Dit blyk dat die oefengroepmodel statisties meer effektief was in die onwikkeling van fisieke komponente soos lenigheid, spoed, aerobiese fiksheid en spoed van gooie, as die skoolgebaseerde oefengroep.Gebaseer op die resultate van die oefengroepmodel, kan hierdie benadering tot ontwikkeling ‘n beduidende verskil maak in die ontwikkeling van netbalvaardighede. Verdere verfyning van huidige talentontwikkelinsgmodelle, mag in die toekoms aanleiding gee tot bruikbare sisteme waar elke deelnemer die kans gegun sal word om sy sportpotensiaal te bereik.