EFFECT OF SELF-AWARENESS ON SKILL PERFORMANCE OF YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Self - awareness on skills performance of youth soccer players in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. one objective was raised, while two research questions were answered and one hypothesis was tested. The theoretical framework of this study was grounded in the CASEL model. The literature review was organized around the one core components of social-emotional learning (SEL) as outlined by the Collaboration for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL). The Pre – test, Post – test, control group design was used for this study. The population for this study was 475 youth soccer players in Maiduguri. A purposive sampling technique was used to select ten (10) teams with the total number of 233 youth soccer players. Proportionate sampling technique was used to select a sample of seventy-two (72) players who were randomly assigned equally to each of the two groups using the fish bowl method. The instruments that were used for this study were the Social Emotional Competence Questionnaire (SECQ) which was adapted and modified from Zhou and Ee with 5 items and a selfdeveloped score sheet for recording sport performance which was structured on the modified four point Likert type scale of 1-5 (1 point), 6-10 (2 points), 11-15 (3 points) and 16-20 (4 points). The reliability of the instrument was determined using split-half technique and coefficient alpha of r = 0.84 was obtained. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentage, mean and standard deviation to describe the demographic characteristics of the respondents and also answer the research questions, while the null hypothesis was tested using inferential statistics of independent sample t-test for hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study revealed that, there was significant effect of self-awareness on skills performance among Youth Soccer Players in Maiduguri t = 10.969, df = 70, p < 0.001 after 6–weeks training. Based on the results of this study, it was recommended among other things that Sport psychologists should draw up a comprehensive SEL training programmes tailored specifically for youth soccer players in Maiduguri. These programmes should be designed to enhance selfawareness with a focus on experiential learning activities and regular practice sessions integrated into the existing training regimen.