Influences on the socialisation of South African elite athletes

Abstract

Within the different phases of being socialized into the formation of an athletic identity, socialization agents (including the 'self') make significant contributions. A self-constructed questionnaire was completed by 123 South African elite athletes who competed in the 8th All Africa Games in Abuja (2003). They represented 17 different sports codes, the majority (n=74, 60%) of which competed in team sports and 49 (40%) competed in individual sports. The gender composition of the sample consists of 69 (56%) men and 54 (44%) women. The findings reflect the shifting nature and dominant role of significant others as socializing agents, the influence of environmental factors, and socio-cultural and economic aspects. The social worlds and career paths of elite athletes is further constructed through ideological and subjective schemes, which translate into needs and perceptions that should be understood and addressed in the development of elite athletes in the South African context.