Understanding the impact of the coach-athlete relationship, identity and complexity within female team sports.

Abstract

The overall purpose of this study was to have a more in depth understanding of the impact that the coach-athlete relationship, identity and complexity issues have within female team sports. Coaching is seen to be a complex, dynamic process that involves a power sharing relationship between coaches and athletes which can in turn have an impact upon athlete identity and coach-athlete relationships (Jones et al, 2011). Based on an interpretivist ontology a qualitative methodology was used, a series of semi-structured interviews were used within coaches and athletes. The key findings of this study were that it is important for coaches to get to know their athletes and have an understanding of what makes them ‘tick’. Getting to know your athlete’s identity is important for coaches in order to have an understanding of how coaching can have an impact on an athlete. This varied throughout the research because a number of different coaches were selected to take part, each coaching in a different environment where different athletes needs and desires are relevant, meaning there is no one specific way that all athletes can be coached. Therefore, as a coach it is important to be honest and understanding in order to meet athlete needs and desires with a need to demonstrate an ability to adapt your coaching accordingly to different environments and athletes.