Football in the community schemes: exploring the effectiveness of an intervention in promoting healthful behaviour change

Parnell, Daniel ORCID: 0000-0001-5593-0633, Stratton, Gareth, Drust, Barry and Richardson, Dave (2013) Football in the community schemes: exploring the effectiveness of an intervention in promoting healthful behaviour change. Soccer & Society, 14 (1). pp. 35-51. ISSN 1466-0970, 1743-9590

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Abstract

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a Premier League football club’s Football in the Community (FitC) schemes intervention in promoting positive healthful behaviour change in children. Specifically, exploring the effectiveness of this intervention from the perspectives of the participants involved (i.e. the researcher, teachers, children and coaches). A range of data collection techniques were utilized including the principles of ethnography (i.e. immersion, engagement and observations), alongside conducting focus groups with the children. The results allude to the intervention merely ‘keeping active children active’ via (mostly) fun, football sessions. Results highlight the important contribution the ‘coach’ plays in the effectiveness of the intervention. Results relating to working practice (i.e. coaching practice and coach recruitment) are discussed and highlighted as areas to be addressed. FitC schemes appear to require a process of positive organizational change to increase their effectiveness in strategically attending to the health agenda.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	4206 Public Health, 42 Health Sciences, 44 Human Society, Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities, Clinical Research
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	13 Mar 2019 10:45
Last Modified:	23 May 2025 11:02
DOI:	10.1080/14660970.2012.692678
Related Websites:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3034139