Transcending emotional community: A qualitative examination of older adults and Masters’ sports participation

This qualitative study examined meanings of community as they developed among older adults who participate in Master’s sports. Four themes emerged through data analysis that described what a sense of community meant to study participants. The themes were, ‘a shared sporting interest’, ‘comrades in continued activity’, ‘relevant life purpose’, and ’giving back’. These themes each lend general support to the four elements that constitute McMillan and Chavis’ (1986) sense of community construct. The findings of this study counter the claims that leisure-related experiences of community are largely episodic, emotional and fleeting and do little to provide sustained experiences of community. This paper concludes with recommendations for further research.