Player Perspectives: Qualitative Analysis of Playing Up

According to the PLOS One article by O’Keeffe and Lane (published August 11, 2026), a qualitative analysis of playing up found that adolescent Camogie players report net developmental benefits when playing up, provided coaches and clubs offer social inclusion and autonomy support. PLOS One

• Sample and timing: O’Keeffe and Lane interviewed n = 15 players (mean age 14.4 ± 1.1 years) in interviews conducted between May 1 and August 31, 2024, as reported in PLOS One (August 11, 2026).
• Reported uptake and context: O’Keeffe and Lane found 80% (12 of 15) of participants were playing up solely at club level and 67% (10 of 15) had prior experience of playing up, according to PLOS One (August 11, 2026).
• Balance of effects: O’Keeffe and Lane reported that 80% of participants expressed favourable perceptions of playing up but also raised measurable concerns about injury risk and motivation, as described in PLOS One (August 11, 2026).
• Practical recommendation: O’Keeffe and Lane concluded, “When supported effectively, positive playing up experiences can foster competence and confidence, contributing to improved player retention, ” in PLOS One (August 11, 2026).

O’Keeffe and Lane ran a qualitative phenomenological study to capture athlete voice using semi-structured interviews, as described in the PLOS One paper published August 11, 2026.

O’Keeffe and Lane collected audio-recorded online interviews via Zoom between May 1 and August 31, 2024, and used automatic transcription reviewed against recordings for accuracy, as reported in PLOS One (August 11, 2026).

O’Keeffe and Lane analysed transcripts using reflexive thematic analysis with a six-step approach and researcher reflexivity to generate themes about reasons for playing up, perceived benefits, negatives, and player recommendations, as described in PLOS One (August 11, 2026).

Participant voice examples reported in PLOS One include direct player remarks such as “you get used to all that stuff quick enough” (Participant 11) and “you’re there to help [the coaches] out if they’re struggling for players” (Participant 1), illustrating both adaptation and pressure, as quoted in PLOS One (August 11, 2026).

Coaches should prioritise player readiness and psychosocial integration, because O’Keeffe and Lane found that supported transitions increase competence while unsupportive environments amplify pressure (PLOS One, August 11, 2026).

Researchers should collect full transcripts and timestamped audio, because O’Keeffe and Lane used Zoom recordings and verified transcriptions to preserve participant voice for reflexive thematic analysis (PLOS One, August 11, 2026).

Policy makers should avoid one-size-fits-all rules, because O’Keeffe and Lane recommend individualised decisions that consider maturation, autonomy and injury risk to balance development with welfare (PLOS One, August 11, 2026).

O’Keeffe and Lane’s August 11, 2026 PLOS One qualitative analysis shows that playing up can accelerate skill and psychosocial development when clubs provide social inclusion, coach support, and player autonomy (PLOS One, August 11, 2026).

Researchers and coaches should combine rigorous transcript practices and reflexive thematic methods with individualised readiness checks to balance development and welfare, as recommended by O’Keeffe and Lane (PLOS One, August 11, 2026).

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