Aiming towards the gold : exploring the lived experiences of Maltese athletes

Abstract

This present study aims to explore the experiential journey of four Maltese athletes. It seeks to investigate salient aspects in the life experience of professional sportspersons. The study adopted a qualitative approach and used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis as its conceptual framework. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews (Smith, Flowers, and Larkin, 2010). Data analysis elicited five superordinate themes: reasons for practicing the chosen sports, personal care, meaningful moments, personal life challenges, motivators, and attitudes toward the world of sports. The findings indicate that sport is central to the lives of the participants. Sport is an integral aspect of the participants' identity, despite the strict diet and training plans that they have to follow and other challenges they encounter in their journey, including failures, injuries, balancing between their sporting career, work and family, and personality challenges. Nevertheless, the sporting career awarded participants with positive feelings, successes, a more positive self-outlook and new relationships. The participants express their disappointment about the limited opportunities and facilities for athletes in Malta. Their genuine appreciation of the benefits associated with both professional and amateur sports prompts them to encourage others to take up sports. This study intends to inspire young sportspersons who wish to pursue sports at a professional level and offer practice implications for sports psychologists and other individuals working closely with the athlete.