A holistic perspective on career development in UK female soccer players: A negative case analysis

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine dual career experiences of UK-based female youth soccer players from a holistic perspective with a view to producing a substantive grounded theory of talent development and career transitions in UK female soccer. Methodology: A Grounded Theory methodology (Corbin & Strauss, 2008) was used. Negative case (Denzin, 1989) former female soccer players (N=13), their best friend (N=13), soccer coaches (N=4), and teachers (N=8) took part in semi-structured interviews about factors associated with talent development and career transitions in female youth soccer. Results: Multiple social agents (players, team-mates, peers, teachers, parents and siblings) need to optimally interact to ensure that an optimal talent development and learning environment is created. This will provide a supportive holistic talent development environment and lead to adaptive player-level changes that will lead to a greater chance of successful career development. Conclusions: This study presents a rich understanding of the dual careers of players who did not make it in female soccer. By considering their perspectives alongside of a range of important social agents, we have been able to construct a substantive grounded theory of talent development and career transitions in UK female youth soccer. As a result, these findings may contribute to policy and practice development in UK female youth soccer