The Different Roles in Youth Soccer Sector Between Cooperation and Conflict

Today's (Baumann, 2002; Sennett, 1999) sports associations are defined by an increasing complexity that requires the management of varied roles and functions on the part of players, coaches, and others simultaneously (technical, social, cultural, educational and promoting frames). The actors responsible are connected in a web of complicated relationships, and have a fundamental need for open communicational channels. Being able to navigate the inevitable differences is a result of parties' skills in addressing cooperation and conflict (Gozzoli, 2004) in order to mantain and promote the wealth and health of a sport club. The Knowing differents aspects and be able to manage the differences is due to the skill of recognizing and facing off cooperation and conflict.(Gozzoli, 2004) in order to maintain and promote the links that form the basis of wealth and good working of a sport club. The present research was developed by Catholic University of Milan in collaboration with FIGC(Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio). Its aim was to bring to light the differences between sports roles and the contraddiction and tensions between them in order to make raccomandation for improvement. This research focused on the youth sector, and paid particular attention to the delicate relationship beetween adults and teen in sport settings. The work was based on ethnographic observations, individual interviews with parents and coachs and directors, and focus-groups with the kids. An analysis was conducted (with the supoport of ATLAS.ti) in order to graso individual feelings related to sport, soccer, being on a team, rules and their defence, and relationships among different roles. This reserahc revealed how teens face crisis and conflicts and how they deal with teammates during competition. The project also analyzed different experiences (toil and resources) that denotes sport. Results suggested fundamental recommendations for reorganizing youth sport clubs for the benefits of all parties involved