Organized Sport Impacts in Family Life, Scheduling and Travel Patterns

1. Organized Sport Impacts in Family Life, Scheduling and Travel Patterns LAURIER Canadian Excellence J. Murray & Dr. S.T. Doherty Department of Geography & Environmental Studies Waterloo, Ontario, Canada INTRODUCTION This study used an activity-based research approach, for exploring the spatial, temporal and inter-personal dependency implications of youth participation in organized hockey. RESULTS Weekly Frequency: # Trips In Town = 2 Two matched pair sample group households were chosen to compare time use & frequency with each household. Both families have 2 children, 2 vehicles and incomes >$100,000. # Trips In Town = 1 # Trips out of town = 8 DATA COLLECTION # Trips out of town = 4 • The sample size consists of 24 households (11 HL and 13 Rep.) • TECHNIQUES USED: • On-Line Diary • This involved both adults & the hockey player to track their daily activities with a particular focus on organized sport activities for a 7-day period. # Trips In Town = 2 # Trips In Town = 1 TIME USE COMPARISONS: • NEW UNDERSTANDINGS: • Organized sport families travel together, therefore require family vehicles; however when activity is close to home families often take two vehicles to the arena; • No public transportation is used; • An arena closest to the family home is not necessarily the arena the hockey games/practices are held; • Arena’s located on the outside of the city require more travel for in-town household travel. 2. In-Depth Interview Interviews were conducted at the completion of the study week with each family emphasizing household experiences of organized sport & its impacts.