The implications of COVID-19 on mental health and well-being in young athletes in Malta

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62695/RODD2419

Keywords:

COVID-19, sports, mental health and well-being,, qualitative methodology, youth athletes, Institute for Education

Abstract

This paper explores the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health and well-being of ten Maltese 14-year old athletes and their coping strategies at the time of partial lockdown when sports and schools were stopped. Semi-structured interviews were carried out and data was analysed using thematic analysis, yielding three main themes: training and lifestyle; social interactions; and coping strategies. The findings show that COVID-19 had a deep effect on the mental health of participating young athletes, especially during the partial lockdown period. Nevertheless, young athletes were able to find different ways to cope during this period such as training at home, finding different ways to communicate with their friends, as well as trying new activities. Findings in this study are important for stakeholders and policymakers developing new return-to-sport policies as they highlight the importance of keeping mental health and well-being at the core of policy development.

Author Biographies

Darren Bezzina, National Sports School

Darren Bezzina (B.Sc. in Sports Science, M.Ed. in Physical Education, M.Sc. in Strength and Conditioning) has been a Physical Education teacher for seven years. He is also a gymnastics coach and conducts regular fitness classes for people seeking to improve their fitness. He believes that teaching and coaching should be built on two pillars, namely knowledge and a positive attitude. His goal is to help as many children as possible fall in love with sports, as it is only through the love of sport that lifelong sports participation can be achieved.

Maria Pace, Ministry for Education and Employment

Maria Pace holds a Bachelor in Primary Education, a Master in Education in Social, Emotional, Behaviour Difficulties and a PhD in Children, Schools and Families. She worked as a Primary School Teacher and Nurture Group Teacher. She currently works as an Education Officer in Inclusive Education supporting four colleges and the Nurture Group and Learning Support Zones educators. She was one of the main contributors in policy documentations, namely a Policy on Inclusive Education in Schools: Route to Quality Inclusion and the National Inclusive Education Framework. She also delivered workshops at the European Conference on Resilience in Education and the seventh ENSEC Conference. Her research interests are: SEBD, Nurture Groups & Learning Support Zones, Circle Time, Student Voice, Inclusion, Inclusive Education and Inclusion Policy.

Renzo Kerr Cumbo, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST)

Renzo Kerr Cumbo holds a BEd (Hons) with specialisation in Physical Education, an MSc in Sports Coaching from Loughoborough University, and a PhD from the University of Sheffield which investigated the process of coaching through principles of play, and how coaches generate tactical content knowledge to supplement their coaching. Lecturing at MCAST he currently leads the Erasmus+ project CoachEd6 aimed at Sports Coaching Education. He spearheaded MCAST’s first Sports Conference, was invited to present during the annual BASES conference in 2019 and initiated the first academic peer reviewed journal dedicated to exercise, sports, and physical activity in Malta. He is an ex-Malta National Team Handball player, who moved into Handball and then football coaching at young age. He is a qualified football physical trainer and a UEFA PRO coach with coaching experience in all age groups across all Maltese divisions.

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Published

19-11-2021

How to Cite

Bezzina, D., Pace, M., & Cumbo, R. K. (2021). The implications of COVID-19 on mental health and well-being in young athletes in Malta. Malta Journal of Education, 2(2), 6–27. https://doi.org/10.62695/RODD2419

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