Belonging to a community-based football team: an ethnographic study.
OBJECTIVE
This study considered the benefits derived from participation in a community-based Australian Rules Football league in Melbourne, Australia. The RecLink league deliberately tackles the social and occupational disadvantages associated with mental illness, addictions, unemployment and homelessness.


METHODS
An ethnographic methodology was used to study one team from the RecLink football league throughout an entire season. Fieldnotes were written following participant observation at training, games and events, and five in-depth interviews were conducted and transcribed. A constant comparative approach to data analysis was adopted.


RESULTS
Three major themes were identified: a spirit of inclusion, team-building and meaning of team involvement. The first describes how members were accepted, welcomed and given the opportunity for team involvement, with the expectation that they 'had a go', and 'tried their best'. The second illustrates how the team collectively fostered a culture of friendship, cooperation and support. The third examines the significance of being part of the team, incorporating personal contributions and gains, and meanings attributed to team involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrated how football can be used as non-clinical, community-based occupational therapy: enabling participation in a personally meaningful and culturally valued occupation. Occupational therapists are challenged to explore further how such community-based sports programs may complement existing clinical and welfare-based approaches to social disadvantage.
Mynard
Lorrae
L
Alma Road Community Care Unit, Alfred Psychiatry, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia.
Howie
Linsey
L
Collister
Laura
L
D000328:Adult; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012944:Social Support; D035502:Trust