The team paradox: exploring why athletes really get selected

Abstract

Within the inherent complexities of sports coaching (Jones and Wallace, 2005), a burgeoning belief exists surrounding sociological thought and its ability to challenge and [re]shape the confinements in which related knowledge exists. Such enquiry has established a platform for coaches to set about explaining how they come to terms with their social competencies (Lemert, 1997). Here, the strengthening of such knowledge allows coaches to develop relationships within the context they operate (Jones, Potrac, Cushion and Ronglan, 2011). Notwithstanding recent research, a dearth of literature still exists examining how the developments of such relationships hinge on team selection; a vital ingredient in comprehending why athletes demonstrate compliance and ‘buy-in’ to established beliefs and values within a sporting environment. The aim of this thesis therefore, is to explore the complexities associated with team selection and why athletes really get selected. In adopting an interpretive methodology, specifically utilising semi-structured interviews, data was collected to elucidate the power and culture implications attributed with team selection. Findings highlighted experiences encountered by the coaches and athletes of Ystrad-Nedd United Football Club (pseudonym). The presentation of results adopted line-by-line coding as a means to identify nuances within the collected data (Charmaz, 2008). From this, a ‘light’ theoretical analysis of the work of Bourdieu (1977; 1983; 1986; 1990), Foucault (1977; 1982), Goffman (1967; 1969) and Schein (1992) highlighted the importance of rule adherence and athlete ‘buy-in’, in relation to ‘maintaining social order’ (Schein, 2010), and the influence athlete compliance has on a coach’s team selection. Moreover, the findings contribute to recent work on athlete compliance (Rylander, 2015) whilst illuminating taken-for-granted assumptions associated with team selection, evident within everyday coach-athlete interaction.