Guidelines to Promote Youth Rugby Sevens for Secondary Schools in Shandong Province

Background and Aims: Although Shandong Province possesses strong cultural, educational, and infrastructural foundations conducive to the promotion of Rugby Sevens in secondary schools, the development of the sport at the youth level remains limited. This situation is primarily attributed to low awareness and popularity, a shortage of qualified teaching and coaching personnel, inadequate facilities, and the absence of a systematic curriculum and development framework. Furthermore, concerns regarding safety, insufficient policy support, and low student participation continue to hinder the sustainable promotion and development of Rugby Sevens in Shandong secondary schools. The main objective of this research was to develop a guideline to promote youth rugby sevens for secondary schools in Shandong province. Methodology: This research was a mixed-method study; it combines quantitative and qualitative research. To investigate the current situation and development of youth rugby sevens in Shandong Province, the researcher would use a total of 150 school directors and physical education teachers from 30 secondary schools in Jinan City, and the questionnaire validity will be tested for IOC by 5 experts (IOC = 0.75). After that, there will be interviews with 7 experts, and using three rounds of the Modified Delphi method with 21 experts and the connoisseurship method with 7 experts. For questionnaire data analysis would use descriptive data analysis, content analysis for the interview method, and the connoisseurship method. The criteria for Modify Delphi method were median (≥ 3.50) and IQR. (≤ 1.50). Results: The guidelines to promote youth rugby sevens for secondary school in Shandong Province that the researcher has drawn up under the POIC Management principles and Cultural and Social Acceptance element, all 5 elements, total 81 items, divided into 16 items on planning element, 16 items on organizing element, 17 items on implementing element, 17 items on controlling element, and 15 items on cultural and social acceptance element. And 7 experts confirmed that this integrated model not only reflects strong management principles but also responds to the unique social and cultural context of Shandong province. This makes the guidelines both academically innovative and practically applicable for long-term development. Conclusion: They highlighted that the traditional POIC framework ensures strategic alignment, organizational clarity, practical implementation, and accountability, while the newly added Cultural and Social Acceptance dimension provides an innovative breakthrough. This innovation addresses cultural barriers, builds trust among parents and communities, promotes inclusivity, and ultimately ensures the sustainability of Rugby Sevens promotion in secondary schools.