Misalignments in athletic ambitions and motives for participation in youth football: a cross-sectional study of players, parents, and coaches

Introduction: While the gender gap in ambitions and motives in sports has been widely studied, less attention has been paid to the potential discrepancies between the perspectives of youth athletes, their coaches, and their parents. This study examines the extent to which youth football players' ambitions and motives for participation are accurately perceived by two key socializers: coaches and parents. Furthermore, it investigates whether systematic gender differences exist in these perceptions. Methods: = 528, 59.8% female). Results: Our findings reveal significant misalignments between the views of players, coaches, and parents regarding the players' level of ambition and main motives to participate in organized football. Females' motives and ambitions are in particular underestimated by their parents and coaches. These misalignments could reinforce gendered narratives in sports, potentially leading to unequal resource allocation. Discussion: Our study highlights the need for better alignment between the perceptions of coaches and parents and the actual ambitions and motives among youth players to promote equal support and development opportunities for all.