The socio-economic situation of women soccer players in Turkey and their reasons for heading towards soccer

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The research is based on the licensed women soccer players in Turkey by considering their socio-economic situation and their reasons for heading towards soccer.

The research group consists of 521 licensed women soccer players, among 25 teams of the upper women soccer league of the 2007-2008 soccer season, which are connected to T.F.F. department of amateur sports. The research is based on 259 licensed women soccer players from 15 teams, since it is not possible to reach all of the 521 licensed women players. Questionnaires are applied as a tool for the research to women soccer players. The demographic data of women soccer players are shown as frequency histograms and percentage graphs .The factors that affecting them to head towards soccer, the reasons of their engagement on soccer and their expectations from soccer are shown in frequency histograms and percentage graphs. The correlation among the women soccer players’ opinion is controlled chi-square test and it accepted that p=0,05 as a meaningful degree.

Research results;
1) After the demographic data of the women soccer players in Turkey are examined; big portion of the players consists of 16-20 aged high school student group, women soccer players start of football ages are between 13-16. The study showed us that most of their fathers are graduated from elementary school and they are free workers, most of the soccer players mothers are also graduated from elementary school and they are house wife (they have no work )
2) Friends and same age group children, and health education teacher are most influencing factors that women soccer players’ heading towards soccer.
3) Among reasons; playing Soccer with their team mates through the team spirit, being interested in Soccer, being healthy by playing Soccer, success and desiring happiness from beating are the most affecting factors, that is why women Soccer players interested in football. Increasing their income is least important factor that affecting them to choose Soccer.
4) Women Soccer players mostly expecting to become a national Soccer team player, become a Soccer trainer, become a health education teacher and have higher education on health and sports at university level, due to their choice on Soccer.
5) It is noted that women Soccer players, whose economic conditions’ are at average level, completely disagree on that they head towards Soccer, since Soccer has low expenses.
6) It is noted that women Soccer players, whose economic conditions are good, completely disagree on that they head towards Soccer, in order to increase their income.
7) It is noted that women Soccer players, whose economic conditions are good are mostly influenced by their mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers in terms of heading towards Soccer.
It is noted that women Soccer players, whose education level are high school, agreed a lot on having higher education at university level as a result of heading towards Soccer.
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