Abstract
Student-athletes frequently invest a substantial amount of time and dedication to both their academic studies and sports. Despite facing similar academic expectations as other students, they make only slight accommodations, committing a significant amount of time and energy—often exceeding 30 to 40 hours per week—to their sports. This commitment may involve missing classes for competitions, meeting the demands of coaches whose livelihood depends on athletic performance, and striving to fulfil the expectations of themselves, coaches, family, and friends to maintain their self-esteem (Johnson, Wessel & Pierce 2010).
The purpose of this study encompassed five primary objectives. (1) To explore sport’s gendered power structures/institutions and ideological factors that shape women’s participation in athletics at university level. (2) To explore the barriers women, experience when competing in athletics at university level. (3) To investigate the factors that contribute to women discontinuing their participation in university-level athletics. (4) To identify coping mechanisms that help women student-athletes move beyond existing challenges and remain competing competitively at university level. (5) To explore women athletes’ long-term aspirations for competing at university level. The study employed a qualitative methodology, employing semi-structured interviews with six female student-athletes specializing in track and field athletics, complemented by insights from a former South African Olympian sprinter serving as a key informant. The study employed thematic analysis to elucidate the findings.
The results from the analysis indicated how these student-athletes defied traditional gender stereotypes, embracing their athletic pursuits without conforming to societal expectations. Moreover, most participants felt that their friends have no influence on the termination of their decision to stop participating in athletics, it is rather an autonomous decision. Physical changes, parental influence, the transition from high school to university, financial pressure, social influences, academic stress, nutritional challenges, mental struggles, social isolation, institutional politics, lack of genuine support, loss of interest, gender stereotypes, competitions with male counterparts and unique life changes are factors contributing towards women student-athletes terminating their careers prematurely. Results also revealed that participants found that the National Federation’s lack of financial support and lack of leniency in
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qualification standards for women athletes are factors that these athletes find challenging. In addition, some suggested that Athletics South Africa should seek corporate partnerships to invest in athlete development programmes.