Factors Influencing Team Cohesion and Sports Performance Among Under 15 Football Teams in Brookhouse School, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The study was carried out in Brookhouse School, Runda to investigate the factors influencing team cohesion and sports performance among under 15 football teams in Brookhouse School. In this study descriptive survey research design was used to determine degree of cohesion in the teams. The targeted population was both the female and male football players in Brookhouse School, Runda. A stratified random sampling was used in this study to sample the players where gender was equally represented. A target of 25 players from each team was selected for sampling where simple random sampling was used to get the final sample of 50. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data and the data obtained was analyzed using SPSS program. Qualitative data was organized, tabulated and analyzed using simple frequencies and percentages presented in form of frequency and percentage tables and figures. Independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA tests at 0.05 level of significant were used to investigate the win- loss records. It was discovered that these factors; gender, team preparation, team size, win-loss records and team cohesiveness (social and task) greatly influence the cohesion and performance of the team in one way or another. It is proved that team cohesiveness and sports performance depend on each other for better and good results such that where there is less cohesiveness then the performance is low and vice versa. Two-levels-up coaching focused on encouraging individuals to have self motivation which in return capitalized on the benefits competition provided, hence, preventing social loafing and improving the players’ performance. It was concluded that coaches and players should put in mind factors of cohesion so as to encourage players to be enthusiastic. More research should be carried out at lower levels of Football competitions such as primary and secondary schools.