Honors College Theses

Publication Date

11-11-2022

Major

Sport Management (B.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Chris Barnhill

Abstract

The primary purpose of the study was to identify tactics to improve youth soccer development in the United States (U.S.), which will positively impact future American soccer players. The thesis analyzes how factors related to nationality influence development in youth soccer and identifies the fundamental differences in youth soccer development between male and female American and international soccer players. The proposal delineates why player development is paramount toward the success of a country`s national team, more so than the population or wealth of a nation. The research study used a structured survey-based approach for statistically testing hypotheses. The targeted group for the study was National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and NCAA Division II collegiate soccer players. NCAA Division I and II are considered to be elite amateur levels in the United States. Therefore, the players mostly played for quality youth clubs and academies from around the world. Qualtrics was used to create and distribute the survey, which was distributed to numerous NCAA Division I and II men`s and women`s soccer players across the U.S. at various programs, homing in on how nationality influences development in youth soccer.

Thesis Summary

The research study examines how nationality influences development in youth soccer and recognizes the basic differences in youth soccer development between male and female American and international soccer players. A nation`s soccer prowess is sometimes characterized through the quality of the senior national team. The thesis elucidates why player development is the most important component to the quality of a country`s national team, more so than the population and wealth of a country. The research study is important because it will distinguish the differences in youth soccer development based on nationality and it will bring light to the areas in youth soccer development the U.S. must improve. The thesis presents the differences within player development between the U.S. and abroad.

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