The Grassroot Glory of Jamaica’s Athletics: Analyzing the Perceived Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on High School Student-Athletes’ 2021 Athletic Championship

Year 2021, Volume: 13 Issue: 2, 59 - 70, 30.09.2021

Van Der Rowe , Laurence Garriques

https://doi.org/10.30655/besad.2021.36

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on high school track and field athletes' 2021 championship experience from the coaches' perspective. A quantitative approach which utilized a descriptive survey design was used to collect and analyze data. A combined sampling method that included snowball and purposive sampling techniques were used to survey 43 of the 71 track and field head coaches that took part in the ISSA Boys and Girls Athletic Championship 2021. The results of the study indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted many student-athletes preparation and participation in Champs 2021. The effects of the pandemic also affected the students' physical and psychological abilities to effectively participate in Champs 2021. This required many of the coaches to employ coping mechanisms to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With Jamaica being a powerhouse in track and field, through the development of grassroot programs like the ISSA Boys and Girls Athletics Championship. The impact of the pandemic on these feeder programs will directly impact the development of new talent and gold medal winning performances for future national teams.

Keywords

Pandemic, Coach, Perception, New normal

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