USE OF EMPOWERMENT:A CASE STUDY OF THE FOUR REGIONAL RUGBY ACADEMIES IN WALES

Abstract

This study examined the use of empowerment across the Welsh regional academies (n=4). Such an exploration is necessary for improving the knowledge and understanding of coaches re the practical use of empowerment. The study focused on those methods and techniques employed to empower young, elite athletes. Semi-structured interviews with the regional academy managers (n=4) were conducted and the subsequent data analyzed in relation to the current literature. Research findings show that empowerment was used by 3 regional managers and that their methods and techniques were very similar and corresponded to that which is advocated by the research literature. The main conclusions drawn from this study were that the use of empowerment was dictated by the preferred coaching styles of the managers, and that the examples of techniques and methods provided by them were similar to those employed by coaches who work with senior athletes. Recommendations for future research include investigating the athlete-centred approach to coaching and exploring further the use of empowerment across a wide range of sports.