The Relationship between Sport Subculture and the Coach in the Strength and

Abstract

This paper explores my 'sense making' of the strength and conditioning (S&C) culture at Reading Recreational Centre (RRC: a pseudonym) through an ethnographic framework. It examines the coaches' actions and interactions between different subcultures and the consequential athlete reactions. The ethnographic framework used allowed data collection over a prolonged period. It also permitted an interpretation period which generated a deeper understanding of the given subcultures. The data is represented in narratives. These invite the reader to interpret them using a Bourdieusian perspective. The findings of this study conclude that one’s capital within the field can consequently influence habitus and consequently affect the effectiveness of interaction and performance. When coaches and athletes values match, it could be said to have a positive outcome. Key Words: Sub-cultures, Strength and Conditioning, Ethnography, Capital