Cross-cultural conflicts within sports teams

Abstract

Since sports are increasingly used a way to bring formerly conflicting parties together post-conflict, more work needs to be done to ensure that sports are actually conducted in a way that promotes peace rather than exacerbates the conflict. Since many sports-for-peace programs cross cultural boundaries, this exploratory study was conducted to gain insights into interpersonal and cross-cultural conflicts within sports teams. This research was accomplished with three very culturally diverse teams of college-level athletes in a public university in the United States and focused on the types of conflicts, where those conflicts occurred, how the conflicts developed, who was involved, how the conflicts ended, and their effects on team cohesion. The findings of the study give valuable insight into how cultural differences and their resultant ramifications were viewed and worked through by the athletes involved. The authors also considered some ethical issues that resulted when groups of athletes were brought together from different cultures. This study is a first in a series of studies that examine the types of cross-cultural conflicts that occur within sports teams. The findings in this study are of interest to physical education instructors, coaches, peace education teachers, and professionals using sports to promote peace.