Educational needs of actors involved in soccer youth sectors

This research aims to investigate representations and needs of young players, parents, coaches and chiefs in soccer youth sectors, as well as relations and the quality of the relation between these actors. We will also compare and link these four lifespaces, by investigating and analysing educational needs. 13 soccer clubs were involved (500 players, 300 parents, 50 coaches, 30 chiefs). We conducted group-interviews, ethnographic observations and semi-structured interviews (further data are being collected), then analysed through content-analysis (with Atlas.ti software for qualitative analysis). Different representations, complex relations, crucial issues, efforts and resources emerged; these results are essential to get a deeper understanding of sport as lifespace and to plan educational paths.