Daughters & Dads Cricket Research
Background
Daughters and Dads Cricket is an innovative program that draws on father support to improve girls’ cricket enjoyment, participation and retention in the sport. This is achieved through addressing gender-based barriers to participation in the sport.
Study Methods
A group of 34 daughters (aged 7-12 years) and their fathers/father figures from the Newcastle region of NSW, participated in the Daughters and Dads Cricket program during Term 1, 2021. The study measured improvements in cricket skill proficiency, daughters’ enjoyment, intention to keep playing, and long-term retention in cricket.
Utilising fathers to support their daughters and enhance their cricket skills may be an innovative approach to addressing traditional socio-cultural views of cricket relating to gender, by improving girls’ enjoyment, participation and long-term retention in in the sport.
Researchers from the University of Newcastle evaluated the impact of Daughters & Dads Cricket and published the results in the International Journal of Sport Science & Coaching. https://doi.org/10.1177/174795412311690
What were the outcomes?
Significant improvements were found for Daughters':
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Batting accuracy, distance and technique
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Bowling accuracy, length and distance
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Throwing distance and technique using an over-hand throw
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Throwing distance and technique using an over-hand throw
Program Evaluation
Daughters
Enjoyment with the program: rated 4.9 out of 5​
Overall program rating: 4.8 out of 5
9.3 out of 10 girls selected Agree or Strongly Agree to recommend the program to their friends
97% Agreed or Strongly Agreed to continue playing cricket with dad
60% Agreed or Strongly Agreed to play in a Junior Cricket team at a local club
Dads
Enjoyment with the program: rated 4.4 out of 5​
Overall program rating: 4.6 out of 5
9.3 out of 10 dads selected Agree or Strongly Agree to
recommend the program to their friends
89% Agreed or Strongly Agreed to continue playing cricket with their daughter
53% Agreed or Strongly Agreed to enrol their daughter Cricket
Blast program.