Abstract

A high proportion of Māori and Pasifika play rugby league at both the participation and professional levels in New Zealand. Despite the physicality of the game appealing to young Māori and Pasifika, research suggests the psychosocial aspect of athlete development is critical to longevity and success. Presently, there are a lack of tools, practices and processes that respond appropriately to the psychosocial needs of Māori and Pasifika athletes. To address this gap, there is a need to understand what psychosocial looks like for Māori and Pasifika in order to implement more culturally responsive practices. Therefore, this article offers a perspective on the psychosocial aspect of athlete development through a collective Māori and Pasifika lens.

Keywords: Māori and Pasifika; Athlete development; Psychosocial development