For players
Who Am I Playing With?
The right match matters as much as the right court.
91
studies reviewed found that enjoyment, alongside health, is the most commonly reported reason adults take part in sport. A badly matched game is the fastest way to lose it.
Source: Crossman et al., 2024 [1]
The challenge
Finding players is only half the job. Before joining a game with people they don't know, players want to know what they're walking into: the level, the style of play, whether it's casual or competitive, and whether the group is friendly and reliable. Without that information, many people simply don't join, and those who do risk an experience that puts them off for good.
What the research says
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1
Enjoyment is what keeps adults playing
A systematic review of 91 studies found that the desire for better health and enjoyment were the most frequently reported reasons adults play sport. The authors recommend that sport offerings be built around enjoyment. [1]
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2
The social experience is part of the benefit
Team sport is associated with better psychological and social outcomes than individual activity, and earlier research attributes much of this to the social nature of playing with others. A poor social experience undermines exactly what makes team sport valuable. [2, 3]
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3
Confidence decides who turns up
A review of qualitative research found that social interaction and enjoyment motivate people to take part, while low confidence and feeling self-conscious can hold them back. Knowing the level of a game in advance reduces that uncertainty. [4]
Bracketed numbers refer to the sources listed in the full study.
Why it matters
For players
Joining a game with strangers feels far less risky when you know the level and the vibe beforehand.
For organizers
Well-matched groups have fewer disputes, better games and more people who want to play again.
For venues
Good experiences become regular groups, and regular groups become repeat bookings.
How Kourtiva helps
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01
Player profiles
Sport, level and playing history help set expectations before the game.
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02
Casual or competitive
Games are labeled so players choose the experience they actually want.
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03
Know before you join
See the sport, format and level of a game before committing to it.
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04
Privacy by design
Players control what others can see about them.
A good first game with strangers is what turns a one-off booking into a regular habit.