Candidates’ experiences of elite coach education: a longitudinal study (‘tracking the journey’)

Authors

  • Robyn Jones
  • Wayne Allison

Abstract

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge development and experiences of 20 coaches enrolled on an 18-month elite level professional preparation programme. The methods used within the study included individual video diaries and focus group interviews. In total, data from 18 focus group interviews and 19 video diaries were obtained from the candidate coaches and subject to a process of broad inductive analysis. Results centred around three principal themes; (1) a problematic perception of the utilised competency-based framework and a desire for greater peer learning opportunities; (2) an instrumental view and accompanying utilisation of course mentors; and, most significantly, (3) the use of the periodic course gatherings (the residentials) as a ‘community of security’ for the coaches to offset everyday feelings of workplace anxiety. The implications of such findings lie in the call for elite coach education programmes to help practitioners better accept and live with the complexity and anxiety-inducing uncertainty of their positions through giving them realistic ways of dealing with it.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Cassidy, T., Potrac, P., and McKenzie, A. (2006). Evaluating and reflecting upon a coach education initiative: The CoDe1 of Rugby. The Sport Psychologist, 20(2) 145-161.

Chesterfield, G., Potrac, P. & Jones, R.L. (2010). ‘Studentship’ and ‘impression management’: Coaches’ experiences of an advanced soccer coach education award. Sport, Education and Society, 15(3), 299-314.

Charmaz, K. (2006). Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. Thousand Oaks, Ca: Sage.

Christensen, M.K. (2013). Outlining a typology of sports coaching careers: Paradigmatic trajectories and ideal career types among high performance sports coaches. Sports Coaching Review, 2(2), 98-113.

Cushion, C., & Nelson, L. (2013). Coach education and learning: Developing the field. In P.Potrac, W. Gilbert & J. Denison (eds.), Routledge Handbook of Sports Coaching. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge (pp.359-374).

Cushion, C., Nelson, L., Armour, K., Lyle, J., Jones, R., Sandford, R., & O’Callaghan, C.(2010). Coach learning and development: A review of literature. Leeds: SportsCoach UK.

Gilbert, W., Gallimore, R. & Trudel, P. (2009). A learning community approach to coach development in youth sport. Journal of Coaching Education, 2(2), 1-21.

Glaser, B.G. & Strauss, A.L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago: Aldine.

Jones, R.L. (2013). Towards a theory of coaching: The learning order. Invited presentation given at the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Barcelona, Spain, June 26-29th.

Jones, R.L., Armour, K.M. & Potrac, P. (2004). Sports coaching cultures: From practice to theory. London: Routledge.

Jones, R.L., Bailey, J. & Thompson, I. (2013). Ambiguity, noticing, and orchestration: Further thoughts on managing the complex coaching context. In P.Potrac, W.Gilbert & J.Denison (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of sports coaching (pp.271.283). London: Routledge.

Jones, R.L., Morgan, K. & Harris, K. (2012). Developing coaching pedagogy: Seeking a better integration of theory and practice. Sport, Education and Society, 17(3), 313-329.

Jones. R.L., & Wallace, M. (2006). The coach as orchestrator. In R.L.Jones (Ed.), The sports coach as educator: Re-conceptualising sports coaching, (pp.51-64). London: Routledge.

Jones, R.L. & Wallace, M. (2005). Another bad day at the training ground: Coping with ambiguity in the coaching context. Sport, Education and Society, 10(1), 119-134.

Jones, S. R. & McEwen, M. K. (2000). A conceptual model of multiple dimensions of identity. Journal of College Student Development, 41(4), 405-414.

May, T. (1999). Social research: Issues, methods and process. Buckingham: Open University

Mesquita, I. (2013). Towards a theory of coaching: The temporal order. Invited presentation given at the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Barcelona, Spain, June 26-29th.

Morgan, D.L. (1988). Focus groups as qualitative research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage

Nash, C., Sproule, J., Hall, E. & English, C. (2012). Coaches outside the system: Research report for sport coach UK.

Nelson, L., Cushion, C. & Potrac, P. (2013). Enhancing the provision of coach education: The recommendation of UK coaching practitioners. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 18(2), 204-218.

Ollis, S. & Sproule, J. (2007). Constructivist coaching and expertise development as action research. International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching, 2, 1-14.

Olusoga, P., Maynard, I., Hays, K. & Butt, J. (2012). Coachign under pressure: A study of Olympic coaches. Journal of Sport Sciences, 30(3), 229-239.

Piggott, D. (2012). Coaches' experiences of formal coach education: a critical sociological investigation. Sport, Education and Society, 17(4), 535-554.

Pini, M. (2001). Video diaries: Questions of authenticity and fabrication. Available: 13thDecember. http://www.latrobe.edu.au/screeningthepast/firstrelease/fr1201/mpfr13a.htm.

Ronglan, L.T. (2013). Towards a theory of coaching: The insecurity order. Invited presentation given at the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Barcelona, Spain, June 26-29th.

Roy, M., Beaudoin, S., & Spallanzani, C. (2010). Analyse des connaissances des entraîneurs inscrits à une formation «Introduction à la compétition – Partie B» en matière de planification d’entraînement. Sherbrooke, Québec: Université de Sherbrooke, Faculté d’éducation physique et sportive.

Seale, C. & Kelly, M. (1998). Coding and analyzing data, In C. Seale (ed.), Researching society and culture (pp.146-163). London: Sage.

Taylor, B. & Garratt, D. (2010). The professionalisation of sports coaching: Relations of power, resistance and compliance. Sport, Education and Society, 15(1), 121-139.

Wenger, E. (2010). Knowledgeability in landscapes of practice: From curriculum to identity. Presentation given at the given at the Society for Research into Higher Education Annual Research Conference, 14th – 16th December.

Downloads

Published

2014-12-17

Issue

Section

Original Research