Team Building Interpersonal Relationships in Gaelic Games

Abstract

The aim of this research is to illuminate the process of team building interpersonal relationships in the amateur competitive sports of Gaelic Games. Interpersonal relationships are a key influencer in all group types while in sports environments they have been shown to be both a performance influencer and success factor. Inspite of these, attention to date is sparse in sport psychology, with literature dominated by a cohesion focus. In order to address these gaps Chapter 2 presents a comprehensive review of the literature on a range of team building modalities influencing interpersonal relationship development. It highlights the paucity of studies which have been carried out with a focus on interpersonal relationship development and the gap in the literature surrounding season long studies, multiple interventions and variety of sports team investigated. In order to address these gaps, Chapter 3 presents an action research study, whereby a range of acute and chronic interventions were undertaken with a competitive, elite team over the course of a full season and were monitored by both qualitative and quantitative methods. Results overall demonstrated that a combination of acute and chronic interventions and informal social opportunities were effective in developing interpersonal relationships to a satisfactory, functional level, in addition to incidental factors. Mixed methods were also shown to provide a comprehensive means of monitoring the team throughout the year. Irrespective of the popularity of Gaelic Games and increasing interests amongst many teams, particularly at the elite level, of implementing aspects of Sport Science for performance enhancement, research on the psychological preparation of GAA teams is sparse. Chapter 4 and 5 sought to illuminate the status quo in relation to team building methods for developing interpersonal relationships employed in Gaelic Games at both the elite intercounty and club level. Specifically Chapter 4 qualitatively investigated intercounty GAA coaches definition of team building via semi-structured interviews with experienced coaches. It also revealed current practices amongst intercounty coaches for interpersonal relationship development. The associated areas of team communications, conflict management and socialisation were also explored. Results showed that intercounty coaches understand team building as multifactorial including environmental knowledge development, cohesion, maturity, communications, performance efforts and the process based aspects. Intercounty coaches employ a range of both acute and chronic interventions to develop their teams. Chapter 5 qualitatively investigated club level GAA coaches definition of teambuilding via semi-structured interviews with experienced coaches. The associated areas of team communications, conflict management and socialisation were also explored. Results showed that club coaches understand team building as cohesion, process aspects and the outcomes of improved playing attributes and mentality. It also revealed current practices amongst club coaches for interpersonal relationship development, featuring a range of both acute and chronic methods. Chapter 6 presents a range of ensuing recommendations relevant to a range of stakeholders.