Same Game, Different Priorities: A Case Study on Value Alignment in a Girls’ Hockey Association
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17161/jas.v12i1.25005Abstract
The rapid growth of media attention surrounding women’s sport has intensified demand for developmentally appropriate youth programming, prompting renewed scrutiny of how sport organizations support long-term participation. Retention within youth sport requires attention to both parents, who often act as purchasers, and athletes, who experience programs directly. Prior research suggests that many youth sport systems remain adult-centric, privileging parental priorities over athletes’ perspectives. This exploratory case study examined value alignment within a Canadian girls’ hockey association offering multiple participation pathways (introductory/developmental, house league, and representative). Survey responses from 108 athletes and 38 parents were collected using the Youth Sport Values Questionnaire–2 to assess competence, moral, and status values. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor structure of the scale, followed by multi-group invariance testing to examine whether values were conceptualized similarly across groups. Results indicated partial measurement invariance, suggesting that while parents and athletes organized sport values comparably, certain items functioned differently across groups. These findings point to divergence in how youth and adults understand and prioritize sport values, rather than differences in overall value levels. The study underscores the importance of incorporating athlete perspectives into program design to promote alignment, support identity development, and sustain participation among adolescent girls.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lynton S. Lam, Daniel Wigfield, Megan Piché, Ann Pegoraro
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