Christine Nash and John Sproule
Napier University & University of Edinburgh, UK
Citation
Nash, C., Sproule, J. (2012). Coaches perceptions of their coach education experiences. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 43(1), 33-52. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2012.43.033
Abstract
Coaches undertake coaching qualifications and accreditation for a variety of reasons but their views on both the quality and value of their subsequent learning remain wide ranging. This study investigated the impact of coach education qualifications on coaching practice across a range of coaching levels, sports and experience. A questionnaire, assessing their perceptions, was administered to practising sports coaches (n=621). Results revealed limited impact of coach education and qualifications on actual coaching practice. The results do suggest that coach education courses are able to deliver the sport specific content but generally are not able to fulfill the coach’s requirements when it comes to other aspects of coaching, for example, sport psychology or pedagogy. The coaches considered that group working enhanced their learning, which would require course deliverers to work more interactively and National Governing Bodies to reconsider their presentation format for all levels of awards.
Keywords: Coach education, Learning, Perceptions