ABSTRACT Organized sport is a valuable form of leisure that supports global health goals by promoting physical activity across the life course. However, participation among working-age Australian adults (25–64 years) is declining, limiting the long-term benefits of sustained engagement. This study employed a multiple case study approach to examine three adult-oriented sport programmes and identify elements that support continued involvement. Underpinned by a social-ecological model, data from stakeholder interviews (n = 3), participant focus groups (n = 10) and document analyses were triangulated. Four themes were developed, highlighting how effective sport programmes addressed constraints and supported facilitators across social-ecological domains. Specifically, successful programmes provided consistent communication, supportive relationships, skill development and pathways from ‘beginner’ to club member. Ongoing evaluation was recommended to ensure programme relevance and longevity. These findings provide insight into how sport as leisure can be sustained throughout adulthood, contributing to lifelong wellbeing.

ABSTRACT First Nations women’s experiences of sport and physical activity in rural and regional Australia, and perceived impacts on health and wellbeing, were examined within an interpretivist paradigm. Data were collected across two anonymous, online, open-ended surveys, between mid-2020 to mid-2021, from 15 First Nations women aged 20–63 years (M = 40.5 years). The study applied a novel theoretical framework which combined a strengths-based, decolonised approach, and an integrative theory of belonging. Through sport and physical activity engagement, these First Nations women reported meaningful social and family connections and a strong sense of community and belonging, which enhanced perceived overall health and wellbeing for their families, communities, and selves. These findings highlight the importance of moving beyond individualistic ideas of leisure and health to be inclusive of First Nations peoples. Future health, leisure and wellbeing definitions need to include diverse perspectives to ensure cultural safety and collective thriving.

ABSTRACT This paper examines how professional esports players continue to experience enjoyment when gaming becomes a professional career. Drawing on Ryan and Deci’s framework of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being and its extension to media entertainment research, the study develops an adapted Hedonic and Eudaimonic Model to conceptualize the multifaceted nature of enjoyment in professional esports. Through a synthesis of illustrative cases of four top-tier League of Legends players and related existing scholarship, seven distinct forms of enjoyment are identified: including three hedonic enjoyments (pleasure of gameplay, thrill of competition, enjoyment of professional identity) and four eudaimonic enjoyments (psychological growth, self-actualization, social fulfillment, pursuit of meaning). Overall, the study provides a conceptual framework for understanding enjoyment in professional esports, clarifies the distinction between motivation and enjoyment, and extends the hedonic – eudaimonic model to a professional gaming context, filling a gap in research on the non-exploitative and leisure aspects of esports.

ABSTRACT Community sports coaches have cited the development of players’ life skills through sport as a primary motive for coaching. While coaches’ respective methods of and approaches to developing players’ life skills have been researched, factors such as the influence a specific sport’s especial rules and customs might have on this process have been neglected. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the purpose of this study was to explore what features unique to the game of rugby do five regionally-based volunteer coaches consider important in developing players’ life skills based on their lived experiences as players and coaches. Findings suggested that these coaches saw the heavy physical contact involved in rugby provided a high-risk environment which required players, individually and collectively, to develop life skills such as cooperation, resilience, empathy, supportiveness and self-control to overcome physical and emotional challenges presented by the nature of the game.

ABSTRACT Understanding how residents perceive LGBTIQ+ tourists is essential for advancing inclusion in tourism. This study examines residents’ perceptions, satisfaction, and attitudes through Social Exchange Theory (SET), using a survey of 228 residents in Mexico. Findings reveal generally positive attitudes and increasing acceptance, signalling progress compared to earlier research. However, perceptions remain largely shaped by economic considerations, as material benefits outweigh social or cultural factors. Although satisfaction decreases slightly during direct interactions with LGBTIQ+ tourists, overall support persists, suggesting favourable conditions for the long-term development of LGBTIQ+ tourism. Theoretically, the study refines SET by showing that residents’ evaluations of inclusivity are driven primarily by perceived economic gains. Practically, the findings offer guidance for policymakers and destination managers seeking to promote inclusive strategies that strengthen community cooperation and hospitality. The proposed model may also inform similar initiatives in other developing destinations aiming to integrate inclusivity into sustainable tourism growth.

ABSTRACT The fitness industry continues to grow globally with group fitness instructors playing a visible role in gyms. Drawing on the Serious Leisure Perspective and survey data from 332 instructors based in 29 countries, this study explores professional identity among Les Mills group fitness instructors. The survey measures instructors’ perceptions of professional commitment, belonging, and physical ideals, aiming to identify which aspects they regard as most central to their vocation. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed two central dimensions: Community, reflecting social connection locally and globally, and Physical Perfection, foregrounding bodily aesthetics and physical performance. Further analyses showed that perceptions varied with age, teaching frequency, and employment status, suggesting distinct professional orientations within the instructor cohort. These findings extend the Serious Leisure Perspective by identifying measurable patterns of vocational commitment, offering a validated typology that can inform future research on leisure labour in fitness communities.