Determining the Motivation of High School Students in Joining Sports and Varsity Activities

Abstract

Motivation is a very important aspect of a student's academic and extracurricular learning process. The progress of the student performances depends on their motivation. By doing so, joining in different extracurricular activities would help students actively participate in every activity of the school, and Sport is one of them. According to Ormrod, J. E., Anderman, E. M., &Anderman, L. H. (2019), it is what drives students to attain that goal. Thus, it has a big impact on a student's participation also in their academic performance. The study involved students from Grades 7 to 12 with a population of 462 and a target sample of 137 Junior and Senior High School students participating in various sports clubs. It was conducted using printed survey questionnaires and physically going to classrooms and club facilities throughout the campus. The researchers identified what motivates the Senior and Junior high school students to participate in their respective sports clubs. We employed the use of a 4-point ordinal scale to rate their Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations. Most respondents gave high agreement ratings for the motivations given by others in joining the varsity and sports activities. Among the extrinsic motivations, the respondents said they strongly agree on the competitive atmosphere, skill enhancement, fun and enjoyable environment, encouragement from parents and friends, and how it allows to gain new friends. They also strongly agree to intrinsic motivations such as being physically fit, challenging the self, commitment to the sport and rewards, while they only a rating of 3.38 (agree) to desire for recognition. The study reveals that both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations can be a factor for the students to join sports activities, particularly the competitive atmosphere, skill enhancement, keeping fit and to challenge oneself. Thus, sports and student activity coordinators should consider exposing the students more to trainings, tournaments, and contests that will further motivate them to be involved. Appreciation of the players through incentives and subsidies will also inspire them to play and be committed to the work and discipline.