A STUDY SOURCES OF SPORT CONFIDENCE IN YOUTH WOODBALL PLAYERS: A CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL YOUTH GAMES QUALIFICATION ROUND

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the sport confidence of youth woodball athletes in the qualifying round of the 33rd National Youth Games, “Bueng Kan Games.” The sample consisted of 86 youth woodball athletes selected through purposive sampling. This was a quantitative research study. The research instrument was the Sources of Sport Confidence Questionnaire (SSCQ) developed by Vealey et al. (1998), which was translated and adapted into Thai by Supatcharin Pan-uthai and Naruephon Wongjaturapat (2008), with reliability coefficients ranging from 0.79 to 0.91. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation. The results revealed that the most influential source of sport confidence as perceived by the athletes was coach’s leadership (mean = 5.97), followed by social support (mean = 5.88), and vicarious experience (mean = 5.83). Other sources ranked in descending order were: mastery, situational comfort, physical and mental preparation, demonstration of ability, physical self-presentation, and situational favorableness. The fact that external factors were rated as most important reflects that youth athletes still require support and reinforcement from others to build self-confidence. Therefore, developing diverse sources of confidence is essential, particularly by integrating both technical and psychological preparation into systematic training programs. Based on the findings, coaches, parents, and those involved in youth sports should prioritize creating a positive training atmosphere, providing emotional support, and exercising constructive leadership to stimulate motivation and build athletes’ confidence. These efforts will contribute to the sustainable development of youth athletes’ physical and psychological potential over the long term.