Exploring Players' Perceptions About Alcohol: The Impact of Alcohol on the Rugby Team Culture.

Abstract

New Zealand club rugby has had a strong tradition of alcohol consumption. Research internationally and within New Zealand has presented rugby as a sport where alcohol consumption is prolific and hazardous. This investigation takes on a phenomenological approach in order to explore rugby player’s perceptions about alcohol and the impact that alcohol has on rugby team culture. The research data has been collected using one-off face to face interviews with participants. Participant information established that rugby players consume alcohol frequently throughout the rugby season after matches and trainings. These events serve as antecedents for binge drinking to occur. As a result, rugby player’s behaviour does fluctuate depending on the attitudes and types of people they associate with when drinking alcohol. Finally, the study reveals that rugby players acknowledge the detrimental impact alcohol has on performance but this is often disregarded as players seek to create meaningful friendships and a sense of unity within the team culture.