Understanding the meta-transition experiences of Chinese table tennis athletes during the transition to first level teams: Group reflective practice interviews

and purpose : Researchers have highlighted elite and professional athletes’ demands and barriers during their broader transitions within national sport systems from Western perspectives. Using a culturally sensitive methodology, we aimed to broaden this topic by exploring the elite athletes’ meta-transitions and experiences during the transition to first level teams within the Chinese sport context from an Eastern philosophy/perspective. ology : Data collection was conducted through five group reflective practice interviews, aligning with our Eastern philosophy and scientist-practitioner positions. Fourteen elite male table tennis athletes in first level teams from eight provinces in China participated. The interviews were analyzed through a template analysis which is a form of qualitative analysis used to interpret participants’ meta-transitions and experiences through a double hermeneutic. The data is represented by a polyphonic tale to safeguard participants’ anonymity whilst showcasing different demands and barriers as well as the relationships between each meta-transition from athletes’ varying experiences. Five meta-transitions were found during Chinese athletes’ transition to first level teams in the CWNS to describe their nuanced demands and barriers in each meta-transition. Culturally sensitive methodologies, the scientist-practitioner principles, and meta-transitions should be promoted to understand athletes’ experiences and develop tailor career assistance and interventions that can help athletes strive for career excellence. • Five meta-transitions are identified as key phases of the transition into First level teams. • Meta-transitions offer a phase-sensitive understanding of athletes’ transition experiences. • Embracing Confucian relationism (Eastern) guides a culturally sensitive methodologies. • SPPs should implement phase-specific support tailored to athletes’ shifting demands.