Catherine Litchfield

Dr. Catherine Litchfield is an Associate Lecturer at Flinders University, affiliated with the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work and the SHAPE Research Centre. Her work bridges education and active communities, with a strong focus on inclusion, sport, and physical education.

Her research interests lie in women's sport, social support systems, and the sustainability of girls' participation in sport. Using qualitative methodologies, she investigates how enjoyment, coaching, and parental involvement influence retention in youth sports. Her PhD explored social support among elite female athletes during adversity, particularly in Australian rules football.

The available publication demonstrates a consistent focus on qualitative analysis of sport participation dynamics, particularly centered on gender, enjoyment, and organizational practices in girls' netball. Her work applies theoretical frameworks like the FUN Integration Theory to real-world sport contexts.

• Flinders University Research Scholarship (three-year prestigious award)

Dr. Litchfield teaches courses such as Inclusive and Adaptive Practices in Sport, Sport Coaching, Management and Administration, and Approaches to Research (Honours), indicating an active role in mentoring and curriculum development. While no direct grants are mentioned, her research scholarship supports her doctoral and postdoctoral work. She collaborates with researchers like Dr. Sam Elliott within the SHAPE Research Centre.

She is an active member of the SHAPE Research Centre (Sport, Health, Activity, Performance and Exercise) at Flinders University, which supports interdisciplinary research in sport and health promotion.