An examination of how voluntary international netball officials view and experience well-being

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research aim The purpose of this research was to explore the views and experiences of international volunteer netball officials about their well-being and its contributing factors. Research methods A qualitative methodology, involving semi-structured interviews, was used. Fourteen participants (10 females and 4 males) occupying different official and official coach roles at the highest qualification tier were interviewed from across all five global netball regions. A thematic analysis was used to inductively code interviews to investigate well-being perspectives and influencing factors. Results and findings Five main themes were found to most affect netball officials’ well-being: (i) structured support: uneven or absent; (ii) juggling and prioritising; (iii) feedback: private praise, public criticism and feeling under-valued; (iv) the mentally prepared official; and (v) being a successful “brand”. General findings showed a perceived stigma around revealing well-being issues, the need for further organisational resources and support and unfairness that might contribute to the well-being of officials in high-performance sport. Implications The findings suggest a greater focus on individualised and peer-based support mechanisms, other education to enhance well-being literacy and the need for explanation and improvements to be made to processes surrounding the progression pathway. Research contribution The research provides new insights that contribute to the current lack of knowledge about well-being in volunteer sport official populations and uniquely studies this in a high-performance, international sport setting.