Theory and research agree on the importance structured out of-school-time (OST) activities have on the positive development of youth (Mahoney et al., 2005). Sports participation, the most pervasive OST activity (Larson & Verma 1999), has been associated with improved academic performance in school, improved probability of attending tertiary level education, and greater autonomy and satisfaction in one’s first job (Barber et al., 2001). The parents of youth athletes have been reported to be an important influence on young people’s participation and accomplishment in sport and fulfil different and evolving roles as youth athletes develop (e.g., Bloom, 1985; Hellstedt, 2987, 1995; Sheridan, Coffee, & Lavallee, 2014). Harwood and Knight (2015) highlighted the need for parents to develop a range of interpersonal and organisational skills to support their child athletes. Furthermore, they argued the need for “published, field-based intervention research specifically with sport parents” (Harwood & Knight, 2015, p.33), that addresses parents educational and support role needs.
With the aim of addressing the educational and support role needs of parents of youth athletes, the aims for the current research study are to identify:-
1. Ideal parental support and involvement in youth sport across the sampling, specialisation and investment years;
2. What can be done to help develop/improve parental involvement in the sampling, specialisation and investment years youth sport?
3. Development, implementation, and evaluation of an education program for parents of youth athletes in the sampling, specialisation and investment years?
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.
The University offers the following levels of support:
The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:
These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living
Submission deadline
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM
Interview Date
March 2020
Preferred student start date
Mid September 2020
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