TY - JOUR
T1 - Fear, Anger, and Loneliness
T2 - Emotional Pain and Referee Attrition in English Grassroots Football
AU - Potrac, Paul A.
AU - Hall, Edward T.
AU - Nichol, Adam
PY - 2022/9/1
Y1 - 2022/9/1
N2 - This interpretive study provides original insights into the socioemotional experiences that contributed to referee attrition in English grassroots football. Data were generated using an online survey (n = 251) and in-depth interviews (n = 20) with former referees. Using complementary symbolic interactionist and relational conceptualizations of identity, social interaction, and emotional pain, the analysis addressed the participants’ interpretations of their problematic encounters with the various significant others (e.g., coaches, managers, players, spectators, and administrators) that comprised their respective social networks in grassroots football. Importantly, the participants described several emotionally painful issues related to match day environments, disciplinary proceedings, and deployment and development processes that simultaneously coexisted alongside and exacerbated one another. The findings present important implications for those individuals and governing bodies who are responsible for referee retention.
AB - This interpretive study provides original insights into the socioemotional experiences that contributed to referee attrition in English grassroots football. Data were generated using an online survey (n = 251) and in-depth interviews (n = 20) with former referees. Using complementary symbolic interactionist and relational conceptualizations of identity, social interaction, and emotional pain, the analysis addressed the participants’ interpretations of their problematic encounters with the various significant others (e.g., coaches, managers, players, spectators, and administrators) that comprised their respective social networks in grassroots football. Importantly, the participants described several emotionally painful issues related to match day environments, disciplinary proceedings, and deployment and development processes that simultaneously coexisted alongside and exacerbated one another. The findings present important implications for those individuals and governing bodies who are responsible for referee retention.
KW - role identity
KW - role exit
KW - social interaction
KW - match officials
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85136901243&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1123/ssj.2021-0052
DO - 10.1123/ssj.2021-0052
M3 - Article
VL - 39
SP - 298
EP - 308
JO - Sociology of Sport Journal
JF - Sociology of Sport Journal
SN - 0741-1235
IS - 3
ER -