Although coaching has become a popular area for research, little is known about coaches of athletes with a disability (Cregan et al., 2007; DePauw & Gavron, 1991, 2005). The purpose of this study was to explore how disability sport coaches learnt to coach and, more specifically, how they learnt through interactions. Recent disability sport research has revealed that coaches work with their athletes to enhance their learning (Cregan et al., 2007; O’Neill & Richardson, 2008); as such, athletes also participated in this study. Data collection included 20 semi-structured interviews and 14 non-participant observation sessions with five coach-athlete dyads. A thematic analysis was conducted (Braun & Clarke, 2006), which revealed that coaches from various backgrounds commonly learnt through informal learning situations, most frequently through interactions with others. It is suggested that organizations nurture these informal situations and offer more disability-specific nonformal and formal situations to enhance coaches’ learning opportunities.

It may be argued that there are fewer sporting environments where politics and sport are so intertwined, however having undergone significant socio-political changes and development, South Africa (SA) remains a strong sporting nation with a rich and complex sporting history. After 28 years of sporting isolation, following SA's re-entry to international competition in 1992, the country has since competed at international level and immediately reasserted itself as one of the top cricketing nations in the world. With very little non-politicised literature on the subject, the question of what SA's talent development environment looks like in order to produce internationally competitive teams, after 28 years of isolation, remains relatively un-reviewed. In light of this, the SA cricket development environment offers a unique opportunity to explore one of SA's oldest and most established sports. The focus of this thesis will provide a pragmatic and holistic picture of the South African cricket development environment across four features, Organisational Culture, Structural Change, Coach Development and Coach-Administrator Relationships. Consequently, the aims of this thesis are fourfold: 1. To explore the use of an existing organisational framework, the Cultural Web, from the domain of organisational culture management to investigate organisational culture within SA cricket development environment. 2. To gather an understanding of the development pathway of SA cricketers and investigate if the changes made to the provincial structure in 2004 have impacted on the pre-2004 development trajectory of a SA cricketer. 3. To explore the learning and development environment of SA cricket coaches and their career progression. 4. To explore and illuminate the operational relationship between the coach and the administration within the context of SA cricket.

Although coaching has become a popular area for research, little is known about coaches of athletes with a disability (Cregan et al., 2007; DePauw & Gavron, 1991, 2005). The purpose of this study was to explore how disability sport coaches learnt to coach and, more specifically, how they learnt through interactions. Recent disability sport research has revealed that coaches work with their athletes to enhance their learning (Cregan et al., 2007; O’Neill & Richardson, 2008); as such, athletes also participated in this study. Data collection included 20 semi-structured interviews and 14 non-participant observation sessions with five coach-athlete dyads. A thematic analysis was conducted (Braun & Clarke, 2006), which revealed that coaches from various backgrounds commonly learnt through informal learning situations, most frequently through interactions with others. It is suggested that organizations nurture these informal situations and offer more disability-specific nonformal and formal situations to enhance coaches’ learning opportunities.

Coaching knowledge is an essential resource for improving competition quality. The purpose of this study was to explore the needs and wants of elite coaches from the African and small island regions of the Commonwealth at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Specifically, their development of coaching knowledge and their context was analyzed to understand their needs and wants. Using a knowledge management framework, 19 semi-structured interviews identified the process of combining knowledge as predominant in the development of coaching knowledge within these regions. Tacit knowledge was developed through their social environment, mentorship, and athletic or coaching experience. The need for formal knowledge development opportunities and basic coaching resources were also identified. Finally, technology helped to reduce challenges around accessibility to knowledge, and coach certification programs helped with the transition from athlete to coach.

Parkour is a sport with a focus on overcoming obstacles. Parkour practitioners utilise specialised techniques relating to movements such as running, jumping, vaulting, climbing, swinging, rolling, and occasionally acrobatic manoeuvres in order to traverse a path through urban and rural environments. Parkour is a new sport, and as it continues to grow in popularity, there is an accompanying demand for parkour instructors. As a result, programmes to train parkour coaches have been created in various parts of the world. There has been minimal scholarly research conducted regarding parkour, and much of the current parkour research focuses either on parkour athletes, or the perceptions of parkour by non-parkour athletes. No research was discovered regarding parkour coaches. This exploratory study aimed to: (a) explore how parkour coaches learn to coach; and (b) explore the perceptions held by parkour coaches regarding parkour coach education programmes. In the first article, titled ‘How Parkour Coaches Learn to Coach: Coaches’ Sources of Learning in an Unregulated Sport’, participants’ responses related to the themes of: parkour coaching experience, previous leadership experience, experience as an athlete in parkour and other sports, other parkour coaches, non-parkour coaches, parkour coach education programmes, school, reflection, and the Internet. The second article, titled ‘What Does It Mean to be a Certified Parkour Coach? Parkour Coach Perceptions of Formal Coach Education Programmes’, shared participants’ perceptions of formal parkour coach education programmes, including: potential benefits and risks to participation in such programmes, modifications that could be made to the programmes, and parkour coach perceptions of coach education programmes for other sports.

Teachable moments (TMs) is a term that is used across various domains to refer to situations, occurrences, and/or events that present a potential opportunity to learn (Seals, 2018). TMs are recognized as important for educating others, as well as playing a role in professional and personal development. In sport contexts, TMs are a pathway for coaches to develop athletes (Hedlund, 1996). However, we do not fully understand what comprises TMs due to inconsistent usage of the term, and the paucity of sport-based, scholarly research on TMs. Much of our current understanding of TMs is based on studies from domains external to sport. This exploratory study aimed to (a) develop a broader conceptual understanding of how TMs occur between coaches and their athletes, and (b) explore university sports coaches’ perceptions of TMs with their athletes. In this study, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and a virtual TM recall document, whereby coaches logged events they perceived to be TMs with their athletes. Seven (7) university sports coaches completed an initial interview, while 5 of the 7 coaches completed between 4-8 recalls, as well as a second interview. A reflexive thematic analysis in combination with focused coding was applied, thus allowing us to develop a preliminary model of TMs in university sport contexts. In the first manuscript, titled ‘Teachable moments in university coaching: Exploring a coaching catchphrase,’we present our model, and outline the main qualities and conditions that support the occurrence of TMs. In the second manuscript, titled ‘Teachable moments: Practical examples from university sport,’ we elaborate on different forms of TMs that were developed in the findings, and provide concrete examples of TMs that coaches encountered in their day-to-day coaching practices. Throughout both manuscripts, we build our understanding of what comprises TMs in sport and discuss the implications for coaching practices and athlete development.

Volunteer youth coaches make up the majority of sport coaches in the United States, and therefore play a significant role in youth athletes’ experiences in sport. Recent data suggest that fewer than 30% of all youth coaches have received any coach training within the past year. Given coaches’ significant role in the youth development process, and the lack of training required of them, there is a need for innovative approaches to youth coach development in the United States. The purpose of this exploratory study was to implement a revised version of the Mastery Approach to Coaching (MAC) (Smith, Smoll, & Cumming, 2007) coach development program (CDP) (called the MAC-RGR), and to investigate coaches’ perceptions of the CDP. The MAC-RGR featured two notable adaptations from the original: (a) content was added from self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2017); and (b) a novel in-situ method of delivery was employed, based on the partnership principles used by instructional coaches (Knight, 2018) and the parallel process model used in supervising counseling psychologists (Vella, Crowe, & Oades, 2013). The CDP was presented to seven coaches over the course of a six-week summer program, featuring both formal group sessions and informal one-on-one coach interactions. Data were collected via multiple modalities (observations, interviews, and field notes), and explored coach’s perceptions of the training’s content, and their insights into the value of the in-situ delivery method. Data were analyzed using an interpretive description methodology (Thorne, 2013). Coaches demonstrated significant use of need-supportive behaviors, such as asking questions, and reported learning these from the training. Coaches also reported numerous benefits from the in-situ delivery model and the practical implementation of such an approach. A description of coach development that took place in real time is presented. Findings are considered in relationship to instructional coaching and the parallel process of coach education, where the relationship dynamics between coach and athlete are paralleled in the relationship dynamics between coach-educator and coach. Additionally, the nuances of developing coaches in community-based sport settings are portrayed. Practical implications and recommendations for alternative methods of delivery of coach development programs are discussed.

The purpose of this doctoral dissertation was to advance the scientific knowledge on the development of high-performance coaches by proposing a new developmental approach to help intercollegiate sport coaches learn from their coaching practice. When applied to coach development, the theory of lifelong learning (Jarvis, 2006) suggests that coach learning evolves with the coaches’ experiences and develops from participating in the environment. However, current development opportunities for high-performance coaches lack connection with practice and forego reflective practice. This lead researcher thus set out to undertake a 12-month action research operationalised using appreciative inquiry to accompany intercollegiate sport coaches along their learning journey. A personal learning coach accompanied five intercollegiate sport coaches using narrative-collaborative coaching (NCC) to create a safe space for them to reflect. The findings are presented across four articles. The first article suggested reflective cards as a useful tool for coaches to engage in reflective practice. Findings from Article One also presented a model for other coaches to reflect on their coaching practice. Article Two described the main components of NCC, which was used by the personal learning coach to create a safe reflective space. A step-by-step methodology for using appreciative inquiry is presented. In Article Three, data generated from the journey of a female high-performance women’s rugby coach was used to extend the definition of a personal learning coach and to compare the role of PLC with other coach development actors. Findings about the evolution and the value creation of the accompanied learning journey are also presented. Article Four shared results specific to the intercollegiate context with the presentation of the companionship between a PLC and two intercollegiate ice hockey head coaches. These collaborative partnerships led to unique learning journeys, and created valuable learning activities within complex value creation stories. The four articles together make novel theoretical and practical contributions to the field of coach development by presenting a new developmental approach to accompany coach learning and by introducing an analytical framework to evaluate the value of learning activities.

Underserved youth (e.g., from families facing inadequate housing, food insecurity, financial instability) are disproportionately exposed to traumatic experiences (e.g., family discord or violence, neglect, poverty, racism), which can lead to several negative life-long consequences (e.g., affective and somatic disturbances, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation). Community organizations that target underserved youth may be ideally situated to offset the negative consequences of trauma through leveraging a trauma-sensitive sport model for youth programming. A trauma-sensitive sport model involves a blend of positive youth development approaches (i.e., creating safe environments for youth to experience positive relationships, autonomy, and opportunities to build skills), trauma-sensitive approaches (e.g., considering the potential effects of trauma on youth’s participation and development, and prioritising their needs for safety, voice, empowerment, choice, and collaboration), and program designs that leverage and re-design sporting activities to help youth navigate trauma symptoms, build a social support system, and develop various resilience-related skills (e.g., emotional regulation, decision-making). Little research has examined the implementation and effectiveness of a trauma-sensitive sport model for youth programming in a community setting. Use of this model can contribute to greater capacities of youth sport leaders to promote underserved youth’s healthy participation and development. This dissertation was conducted in partnership with BGC Canada, a national non-profit community organization that serves disadvantaged communities. From 2016-2021, a trauma-sensitive sport model for youth programming was implemented in this organization through the Bounce Back League (BBL) initiative. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the knowledge-to-action processes involved in translating this model in a community program setting. The knowledge-to-action cycle (KTAC; Graham et al., 2006) was used to conceptually guide the studies carried out in this dissertation, in outlining key phases for consideration in translating a trauma-sensitive sport model. While most of these phases are described in this dissertation, the empirical articles focused on assessing four phases of this cycle, which included: (a) assess barriers and facilitators to knowledge use, (b) select, tailor, and implement interventions, (c) monitor knowledge use, and (d) evaluate outcomes. Intrinsic case study methodologies were used to understand community-based knowledge translation processes and outcomes within the case of the BBL initiative. A community-based participatory research approach was used to engage in equitable collaboration between researchers and community members for the development of this initiative. Utilisation-focused evaluation principles were used to work with community members to determine what to evaluate, how to evaluate, and how results would be used. Grounded in a pragmatic paradigm, a mixed methods research design was used to collect data through the initiative, which included individual and group interviews with leaders, leader-reported logbooks, leaders self-reported questionnaires, leaders' assessments of youth's participation, communications on an online messaging platform (Slack), and researchers' observations of training opportunities and leaders' practices. The purpose of Article 1 was to outline the overarching process of integrating a trauma-sensitive sport model within the BBL program, from 2016-2021. Several stages of program development were described, including: (a) collaboratively planning the program; (b) piloting the program to three clubs; (c) adapting the program using pilot insights; (d) expanding the adapted program to ten clubs; and (e) creating opportunities to maintain, sustain, and scale-out practices throughout grant duration and beyond. Lessons learned regarding the leadership team’s experiences in terms of developing, adapting, and integrating a trauma-sensitive sport model for youth programming in this community context were shared. The purpose of Article 2 was to explore factors involved in the implementation of a trauma-sensitive sport model for youth programming in BBL. This article paralleled the KTAC phase of assess barriers and facilitators to knowledge use. A mixed-methods evaluation of the pilot phase of BBL was conducted. Three clubs participated in training, implementation, and evaluation of BBL. The data were collected through interviews, logbooks, and assessments. The quantitative data were interpreted using descriptive statistics and comparative t-tests; the qualitative data were interpreted using thematic and content analyses. The RE-AIM framework was used to categorise the various processes and outcomes involved in program implementation. The results showed that programs reached a large number of youth but struggled to retain youth from season to season. The leaders perceived that the intentional structure of the program, opportunities to practice self-regulation, relationship focus, and life skill focus, were all linked to positive participation in youth members. Components of leaders' training and program delivery were noted as successful, but the sustained benefits of these successes were challenged by leader turnover and funding limitations. In line with the KTAC phases, insights were generated on what works and what does not in facilitating this type of programming in a community setting for underserved youth and helped inform future adaptations to the program as it was rolled out (discussed in Article 1). The purpose of Article 3 was to explore leaders' learning experiences from participating in an initial training workshop and prior to their implementation of programming. This article paralleled the select, tailor, and implement interventions phase and the evaluate outcomes phase of the KTAC model. The value-creation framework was used to explore learning experiences based on the interactions and values that leaders discussed. Participants were leaders who attended initial training workshops. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data through observations, interviews, and self-reported questionnaires. The quantitative data were interpreted using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Tests; the qualitative data were interpreted using thematic analysis. The results showed that the leaders: (a) valued having a variety of learning opportunities that were relevant to their roles and contexts, (b) appreciated the diverse focus on foundational and practical content, and (c) shared an interest to learn how to support trauma-exposed youth and facilitate better programming. Implications were discussed for the improvement of training opportunities to better meet leaders' needs within a community organization and support leaders' intentions to apply knowledge into action. Article 4 builds on the previous study, where the purpose was to explore leaders' learning experiences as they implemented programming and while they participated in continuing training and development activities. This article also paralleled the select, tailor, and implement interventions phase and the evaluate outcomes phase of the KTAC model. The participants were leaders who were involved in implementing BBL at their clubs. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data through interviews, observations, surveys, and communications on an online messaging platform (Slack). The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, data charting, and non-parametric analyses; the qualitative data were interpreted using thematic analysis. The results indicated that the leaders learned through various interactions throughout their practice (e.g., implementing programs at their homes sites, receiving mentoring, conversations with peers), and discussed gains in applied value (e.g., program facilitation strategies, youth-support skills), realised value (e.g., youth's receptivity and behaviour change), and transformative value (e.g., transfer of leaders' skills, influence on club culture). Implications were discussed for the improvement of training opportunities to promote ongoing social learning and maintenance of program practices. The purpose of Article 5 was to explore the fidelity and quality of leaders' application of a trauma-sensitive sport model to programming. This article paralleled the monitor knowledge use phase of the KTAC model. The promising practices criteria were used as an evaluation framework to categorise dimensions of quality relevant to program effectiveness. Leaders from 11 BBL programs participated. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data through observations, interviews, and logbooks. The quantitative data were interpreted using descriptive statistics; the qualitative data were interpreted using thematic analysis. The results showed that: (a) all programs showed evidence of supportive adult and youth relationships, (b) programs led by trained leaders maintained program fidelity and implemented more features to a stronger extent than untrained leaders, (c) trained leaders may have compromised mastery orientation opportunities in favour of other program components. Implications were discussed related to what may facilitate or constrain program fidelity and quality in this setting, and how training and development opportunities can mitigate challenges in leaders' capacities. This dissertation offered an evaluation of the knowledge-to-action processes involved in integrating a trauma-sensitive sport model into BGC Canada. The results of this dissertation provided insights of how BGC Canada leaders learned and facilitated a trauma-sensitive sport model for youth programming, the differences training and development may contribute to the quality of their program practices, and how involvement in this initiative resulted in changes in leaders' behaviours, skills, and identities, as well as positive youth developmental outcomes. Practical implications were shared on how BGC Canada and similar community organizations can enhance their partnership and facilitate these interventions. As well, the value of taking a systems-based approach to planning future interventions with a trauma-sensitive sport model was also discussed to maximise multi-level impacts. Academic implications were shared on how future research can also take a systems-based approach to evaluating knowledge translation processes in youth sport interventions.