Motivational sources within the competitive environment

of club rugby players in an Australian Setting

Tim Pittorino, Gareth Richmond, Kate Tebbenhoff, & Clark Vickery. (Australian Catholic University)

The purposes of this study was to determine the effects of perceived success or failure of motivation within the competitive environment of club rugby players. The Sources of Sports Confidence Questionnaire (SSCQ), developed by (Vealey, 1986, 1988), was used to measure the sources of sports-confidence. A pilot data was deemed necessary to ensure adequate clarity and appropriateness of the SSCQ items and format (N=23 Rugby Union players), (M=24.1yrs). An affirmative factor analysis supported the hypothesized seven factor structure of the SSCQ. The significance of the seven subscales of sports-confidence are to determine the sources of motivation that can be derived within club rugby players which are discussed based on the study results.

Key words: motivation, perceived success, sources of sports confidence, performance orientated, outcome orientations.

Research Hypothesis 1: First grade players are motivated for success, where as the reserve Grade group of players show a significant difference in motivational levels.

Research Hypothesis 2: That motivation is derived from varying internal sources.

Common theories found in sport psychology are Bandura’s cognitive theory which predicts individual exercise motivation. According to Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, individual motivation to succeed and peer group unity and cohesiveness will determine (in part) the groups desire for success.

The cognitive evaluation theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985) suggests that competition can affect intrinsic motivation, depending on how one interprets or perceives the competition situation. Intrinsic motivation is enhanced when outcomes or events reflect competition and are perceived to be self –determined. Harter’s (1981) competence motivation theory states the more intrinsically motivated people are, the more likely they perceive themselves as being competence.

22 male rugby union players aging between (18-28) M= 24.1 years, were researched in order to find out each and every players pre-finals and post-finals sources of motivation. All players were of anglo-saxon background. There were 2 groups, which consisted of eleven first grade players and eleven reserve grade players. The study originally involved 45 male rugby union players, but was eventually downsized to 23 due to some players not being regular in season players of the particular teams being researched. They were simply replacement players for players who are out of action with injuries or other commitments, such as representative duties. In order to gain true results, only regular team players were used in the research study.

Participants were required to fill in a questionnaire, which was used to reveal whether there were any significant differences between player’s sources of motivation. These revelations would help to indicate if there were any significant differences in motivational sources from pre-seasons to pre-finals when both groups are being compared. In order to achieve these results, the players were required to fill in the questionnaire retrospectively for the pre-final questionnaire due to the research being conducted just prior to finals time. The second time in which the players completed the questionnaire they were instructed to complete it in terms of how they were feeling currently.

The different ability levels of the players varied widely. Some players were colts (under 20’s), some were representative players (state) and others were simply regular season to season grade players. This wide variety of playing ability provided a steady platform for which to receive a wide range of different levels and sources of motivation results within the players.

The seven sources of sport confidence, identified and used in Vealey’s tool, were subscaled into physical/mental preparation, social support, mastery, demonstration of ability, luck/superstition, vicarious experience and environmental comfort. The results were scored on the Likert scale of 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest).

The participants were divided into four categories: The first group were 12 first grade rugby players who were surveyed by the SSCQ tool on their current state of sport confidence.

The second group was 12 first grade rugby players who were surveyed by the SSCQ tool on their retrospective state of sport confidence at the start of the season. The third group was 11-second grade players who were surveyed by the SSCQ tool on their current state of sport confidence. The fourth group was 11-second grade rugby players who were surveyed by the SSCQ tool on their retrospective state of sport confidence at the start of the season.

The results were derived from Independent t Tests and subscale means with results proving to be consistent from first to second grade. The subscales, demonstration of ability and mastery of skill, proved to be the strongest sources of sport confidence and motivation for all groups while the source of least sport confidence was derived from luck/superstition.

The results also determined that there were significant differences in the current state motivational levels of first grade players to second grade players in reference to the subscales of social support and demonstration of ability. The mean responses of the second grade players were all higher at the beginning of the season compared to the current state scores, however these differences proved to be not significant. The mean results of first grade players remained virtually unchanged according to the scores derived from the retrospective survey and the current state analysis.

In order to determine the effects of perceived success or failure on motivation within the competitive environment of club rugby players, the Sources of Sports Confidence Questionnaire (SSCQ), the tool developed by Vealey (1986), was used to measure the sources of sports-confidence.

The results from the pilot data collected supported seven sources of sports-confidence in club rugby players from both first and second grades, as measured by SSCQ. The seven sources of sports-confidence in which the club rugby players related to were Demonstration of Ability, Mastery, Social support, Environmental comfort, Vicarious experience, Luck/superstition, and Physical/mental preparation. From these seven sources of sports-confidence Demonstration of Ability indicated to be the most important factor of sports-confidence. Both first grade and second grade players indicated this result.

The results from this study suggest that club rugby players are outcome goal-oriented athletes rather than performance goal oriented athletes. Though this is not supported by previous studies.

The retrospective phase within the study is proposed to identify the sources of self-confidence in club rugby players at the beginning of the football season, and compare these findings to the data collected at the current stage they are at now. The results from this part of the study showed two sources of sport-confidence having significant difference. These components were Social Support and Demonstration of Ability. The remaining results showed no significant difference, however what was found was a higher result of data from the first grade players than the second grade players in all other subscales. These results can be related to the first grade players displaying a higher level of motivation as they remain within the competition, as opposed to the reserve graders who were out of contention for post season finals play.

From this study many interesting findings had been discovered with the use of the SSCQ as the form of sport-confidence measurement. The hypothesized relationship between the motivational levels of the first grade players within competition being significantly higher than the reserve grade players were supported. Although it is not supported by previous studies, our results show that the rugby union players were all perceived to be outcome goal-oriented athletes, where their main motivational source is derived from the goal of winning. Overall from these findings a clearer understanding of the sources of sports confidence and motivation was developed.

Email correspondence: S.Burke@mackillop.acu.edu.au