Participant perceptions of HAT TRICK™ Cricket: a culturally-adapted intervention for men with South Asian backgrounds in Australia

TL;DR

A cricket-based health program for South Asian men in Australia improved their physical activity, eating, and mental health through cultural adaptation and social engagement.

Contribution

The study introduces HAT TRICK™ Cricket, a culturally adapted health promotion program tailored for South Asian men in Australia.

Findings

Participants reported increased confidence, competence, and motivation through experiential learning and cultural engagement.

The program fostered social connections and meaningful interactions, strengthening relationships and encouraging open conversations.

Participants applied program knowledge to improve daily physical activity, nutrition, and mental health practices.

Abstract

Individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds frequently experience complex health barriers arising from migration related factors and cultural differences within their new communities. Men with South Asian backgrounds in Australia represent a group particularly affected by these intersecting factors in addition to gender-related influences. In response, HAT TRICK™ Cricket, a culturally adapted health promotion intervention aimed at improving physical activity, healthy eating, and mental fitness, was designed for men with South Asian backgrounds in Western Sydney, Australia. To explore participants’ perspectives and experiences of the programme and its perceived outcomes on their health and well-being, semi-structured interviews (N = 13) were conducted approximately 2 weeks following programme completion. Three themes were inductively derived using thematic analysis: ‘Pursuing personal growth and mastery on and off the pitch’ which emerged through opportunities for experiential learning, culturally meaningful engagement, and skill development that collectively enhanced participants’ confidence, sense of competence, and motivation to improve; ‘Finding commonality and social connection’ in which participants perceived the programme to foster meaningful interactions, facilitate the formation of new friendships, and strengthen existing relationships in a supportive environment that encouraged open and honest conversations extending beyond sport; and third, ‘Translating knowledge into everyday action’ which indicated that participants actively applied some of the skills and knowledge gained from the programme to improve their daily physical activity, nutrition, and mental health practices. These findings support the feasibility and value of culturally tailored sport-based health promotion programmes and can inform future initiatives for CALD communities.