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The perceptions of expert coaches about effective leadership in sport
J. Walsh*1 & T. Morris2
1Deakin University
2Victoria University
Research on effective leadership in sport has identified a number of
characteristics and situations that impact on coaching effectiveness. These
include coach effect on athlete satisfaction and performance, self-esteem and
trait anxiety. This research has focused on athletes' perceptions of or
preferences for specific leadership behaviors and actual coach behaviors
identified by observing coaches. Few studies have recognized the views of the
expert coach as a potentially valuable source of information regarding effective
leadership and the coaching process. The present study investigated expert
coaches' perception and interpretation of the leadership process. Twenty
successful coaches working with Australian junior elite sport participants were
purposefully sampled to cover a diversity of sports (team and individual) and
provide a gender balance across sports. Through in-depth interviews, based on
Grounded Theory, the study examined three aspects of coaching, which provided
the basis of the interview guide. These were coaching history and influences,
effective coaching behaviors, and coach training and accreditation. Eight major
themes emerged: (a) influence of history on coaching behaviors, (b) knowledge of
the sport, (c) pedagogy skills, (d) coaches' personal qualities, (e)
coach-athlete relationships, (f) coaches' evaluation of the athlete, (g) coach
and athlete outcomes, and (h) enjoyment of the coaching process. The results
highlight the important role coaches play in future coach development, the
impact of coach self-efficacy attributed to athlete self-efficacy, and how
coach-related outcomes drive the coaching process. These results have noteworthy
implications for coach education programs.
All copyright remains with Sports Medicine Australia.
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