The importance of excellent sporting facilities at the University of Glamorgan

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my supervisors, friends and family, without their support this research study would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I adjudge that the entire content of this dissertation is entirely my own work; the content used in this dissertation has not been submitted before in any educational institution and represents my own opinion.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to examine the importance of excellent sporting facilities at the University of Glamorgan. This study also examines the relationship among the type and availability of recreational sports facilities, campus lifestyle factors, and student social interaction by conducting a sociological analysis of particular institutional cultures. In addition, the influence of recreational sports facilities on campus culture and student social life was explored. The findings of this study suggests that the importance of excellent sporting facilities at the University of Glamorgan. The hypothesis testing suggests that there is a significant relationship among the health and fitness of students and their academic performance. There is a positive impact of excellent sporting facilities at the University of Glamorgan which attract the students to attend the university.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Statement of the Problem2

Purpose of the Study3

Research Hypothesis3

Definition of Terms3

Significance of the Study6

CHAPTER # 2: LITERATURE REVIEW7

Selected Review of the Literature7

University Intramural Sports7

Varsity Sports in College9

Sports Organizations and Management11

Recreational Sports Facilities12

Organizational Culture13

Student Life, Sports, Leisure and Recreation14

Levels of User Satisfaction with Regard to Sports Facilities and the Supporting Equipment18

Sports Equipment and Facilities21

Summary24

CHAPTER # 3: METHODOLOGY25

Introduction25

Research Design25

Research Philosophy26

Instrumentation27

Sampling method and sample size29

Data collection30

Data analysis method30

Ethics and legal considerations30

CHAPTER # 4: RESULTS AND FINDINGS32

Introduction32

Data Analysis32

Hypothesis Testing43

Correlation Analysis44

Summary46

CHAPTER # 5: CONCLUSION47

Conclusion48

Recommendations from the Study49

Recommendations for Further Research50

Needs for Future Research50

REFERENCES51

APPENDIX55

Questionnaire55

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Institution and campus lifestyles are major factors in determining what recreational sport facilities exist on college or university campuses. Varsity sports, intramural sports, and recreational activities are important elements of campus lifestyle, which has an impact on facilities. Reflecting on institutional and campus lifestyle may guide the development of recreation sport facilities. This study was concerned with the ways in which recreational sports facilities reflect the campus culture of post-secondary institutions and affect social interaction among university students. When people think about their university experience, they think about more than just courses, professors, and textbooks (Luizzi 2000 359). They often recall their extracurricular activities-sports, games, recreation, and other social interactions outside the classroom as the most pleasant memories of their university years. Yet sports, recreation and social activity are areas of campus life that have received little attention from academics and researchers.

Many of these activities seem to be taken for granted by modem cultural and organizational theorists. This study was designed to address differences among recreational sports facilities (RSFs) by looking at the role they play in the creation of social interaction and a unique campus culture (Mahoney 2000 502). The study examined the ways in which modem RSFs shape the campus culture of post-secondary institutions and ...