Sport-specific factors predicting player retention in junior cricket |
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| Authors: | Scott Talpey Tom Croucher Ahmed Bani Mustafa |
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| Institution: | 1. Australian Collaboration for Research into Injury in Sport and its Preventions, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Australia;2. Faculty of Health, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Australia;3. Southerland Shire Junior Cricket Association, Sydney, Australia;4. School of Engineering, American University of the Middle East, Eqaila,Kuwait |
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| Abstract: | Understanding factors that motivate young athletes to continue participation in sport can help key stakeholders cultivate an environment that fosters long-term participation. This investigation sought to determine the performance and participation factors that influenced continued participation in junior cricket. Administration-level data were collected each annual season across a seven-year period by a community-level junior cricket association in Australia and analysed to identify the performance and participation-based predictors of player retention. All players were males aged <16 years. Players were categorised according to whether they remained in (or departed from) the association at the end of each playing season. A multivariate logistic regression model with a stepwise variable selection was employed to identify significant independent predictors of player retention. The number of innings batted and overs bowled were significant participation-related contributors to junior cricket player retention. Performance factors such as the number of wickets taken and the number of runs scored also significantly influenced player retention. Finally, team age group, the number of previous seasons played and age were also significant factors in player retention. This demonstrates that sufficient opportunity for children to participate in the game and expression of skills competence are key factors for retention in cricket. |
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| Keywords: | Youth performance measurement coaching |
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