Professionalism in sport and the standard of world-class performance is on the rise. The development of a country's sporting potential therefore is crucial (Martindale et al., 2007:187). In South African schools, sport is widely regarded as the basis of elite sport (Rajput & Van Deventer, 2010:159). Teacher-coaches are in most cases responsible for the development potential of this sport. These coaches are often not properly trained, while the most knowledgeable coaches are used at elite level (SASKOK 2011b:12). The aim of this study was to determine the current state of teacher-coaches’ sport-specific training and playing- and coaching experience regarding sport coaching. Fifty four (54) schools om the Kenneth Kaunda district in the North-West Province of South Africa were available for this study. Questionnaires by Vosloo (2007) and Camire (2012) were adapted for use in this study. One hundred and forty-four (144) questionnaires were used in the compilation of the results. The Epi-info program was used to capture the data. For analysing the data, frequency tables and cross-tabulations were used to obtain statistical (p≤0.05) and practical (Cramer’s V-value) significance. Only six (6) of the twelve (12) priority sports codes have a significant amount of sport-specific trained teacher-coaches. Most sport-specific training was completed more than five (5) years ago. In most sports codes the majority of teacher-coaches have less than 10 years’ combined coaching- and participation experience. The transfer of quality coaching knowledge between coaches is questionable. It is mostly teacher-coaches with less than 10 years’ experience that do not attempt to improve their coaching skills. Teacher-coaches in general also use few methods to improve their coaching skills. Sport-specific training is needed in all types of schools (especially township- and farm schools) and in all priority sports codes. These teacher-coaches also require quality coaching mentors as well as exceptional and current sport-specific information. / TheThesis (MSc (Sport Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Syftet med studien var att identifiera vilka primära strategier coacher använder sig av för att hjälpa en allvarligt skadad idrottare. Hur en skada upplevs och hanteras ur en coachs perspektiv är ett outforskat område. Podlog och Dionigis (2010) är en av få studier där man undersökt världselit coachers strategier. Författarna i föreliggande studie valde att använda sig av liknande tillvägagångsätt. Nio semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med coacher som hade aktiva idrottare på en lägre nivå än den högsta världseliten, samt hade erfarenheter av allvarligt skadade idrottare. Sju män och två kvinnor deltog i studien, både från individuella idrotter och lagidrotter. Det identifierades fem primära strategier: (1) målsättning, (2) socialt stöd, (3) förmedling till medicinsk personal, (4) anpassad träning och (5) individanpassat stöd. Dessa strategier kopplas i en diskussionsdel till självbestämmande teorins tre aspekter, målsättning och anpassad träning kopplades till kompetens, socialt stöd och förmedling till medicinsk personal kopplades till samhörighet, individanpassat stöd, förmedling till medicinsk personal samt målsättning till autonomi. Slutligen ges även förslag till framtida forskning, metodkritik samt implikationer. / The purpose of this study was to identify the primary strategies coaches use to help seriously injured athletes. How an injury is perceived and managed from a coach's perspective is an unexplored area. Podlog and Dionigi's (2010) is one of few studies that have investigated world elite coacher’s strategies. The authors of present study chose to use similar approaches. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with coaches active at a lower level compared to world elite, and experiences of severely injured athletes. Seven men and two women participated from both individual and team sports. Five primary strategies were identified: (1) goal setting, (2) social support, (3) intermediary to medical professionals, (4) adapted training and (5) personalized support. These strategies are addressed to the three aspects of the self-determination theory in the discussion part. Goal setting and adapted training were addressed to competence and adapted training linked to skills. Social support and intermediary to medical professionals were addressed to relatedness. Personalized support, intermediary to medical professionals and goals setting were addressed to autonomy. Finally suggestions for future research, methodology critique and implications are provided.

Syftet med studien var att utöka förståelsen för coachers roll i graden av faktorer som kan relateras till överträning hos svenska CrossFit-utövare. Urvalet bestod av 42 CrossFit-utövare (n=42), dessa bestod av 30 kvinnor (72%), 11 (26%) män och en som inte ville definiera kön (2%). Alla deltagare var från Sverige. Deltagarna var 33 (±8.8) år gamla och tränade CrossFit regelbundet i genomsnitt 5,9 timmar/veckan (±3.4). En enkät bestående av The Coach-athlete Relationship Questionnaire, Motives for Physical Activity Measurement-Revised, The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire Revised Version, The multi-component Training Distress Scale, The Perceived Stress Scale- 4 item samt ett Feedback Questionnaire skickades ut till 120 aktiva CrossFit-utövare. Signifikansnivån i studien var alfa=0.05. Resultaten visade ett signifikant positivt samband (p<0.05, r=0.347) mellan den upplevda coach-atlet relationens kvalité och CrossFit-utövares viljestyrka, signifikant positivt samband (p<0.05, r=0.349) mellan den upplevda coach-atlet relationens kvalité och positiv feedback samt ett signifikant negativt samband mellan motivet ”Hälsa” för fysisk aktivitet och sömnsvårigheter (p<0.05, r=-0.323). Studien kunde inte säkerställa en konklusion av det sistnämnda resultatet, däremot hade den upplevda coach-atlet relationens kvalité ett samband med en specifik faktor relaterad till överträning bland svenska CrossFit-utövare, närmare bestämt deras viljestyrka. Studies resultat visar även att typen av kommunikation som CrossFit-utövaren upplever att hens respektive coach använder har ett samband med den upplevda coach-atlet relationens kvalité. Framtida forskning bör undersöka området vidare för att utöka förståelsen för samspelet mellan coacher och CrossFit-utövare. / The aim of this study was to expand the understanding of the role of coaches in the degree of factors that can be related to overtraining among Swedish CrossFit-athletes. The participants consisted of 42 CrossFit-athletes (n=42), these consisted of 30 women (72 %), 11 (26 %) men and one who did not want to define gender (2 %). All participants were from Sweden. The participants were 33 (± 8.8) years old and trained CrossFit regularly an average of 5.9 hours / week (± 3.4). A questionnaire consisting of The Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire, Motives for Physical Activity Measurement-Revised, The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire Revised Version, The Multi-component Training Distress Scale, The Perceived Stress Scale- 4 Item, and a Feedback Questionnaire was sent to 120 active CrossFit-athletes. The significance level of the studie was alpha=0.05. The results showed a significant positive correlation (p<.05, r = .347) between the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and the vigour of CrossFit-athletes, significant positive correlation (p<.05, r = .349) between the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and positive feedback as well as a significant negative correlation between the motive "Health" for physical activity and sleep difficulties (p<.05, r =-.323). A sure conclusion cannot be deduced from the latter result, but the quality of the coach-athlete relationship seems to be related to one certain specific factor related to overtraining among Swedish CrossFit-athletes, more specifically their vigour. The studie’s results also show that the type of communication that the CrossFit-athlete experiences their coach is using, could be related to the coach-athlete relationship quality. Future research should explore the subject to expand the understanding of the relationship between coaches and CrossFit-athletes.

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.

This dissertation is comprised of three main sections. The first chapter is a historical overview of the coach-athlete relationships literature within sport. The review was conducted to consider as much empirical evidence as possible concerning coach-athlete relationships. This chapter examines and provides a comprehensive overview of past and current literature examining the coach-athlete relationship. Historical origins, contemporary models, other influences on the relationship, and coach-athlete interactive behaviours were examined. The second chapter is a qualitative study, guided by a phenomenological method of research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded with 10 of the most successful team sport coaches within Canadian Inter-university Sport (CIS) from 2002-2012. Following in depth coach interviews, interpretive research and bracketing and themes were used to identify key components from the interviews. A final thematic structure disclosing five major dimensions contributed to common factors the role relationships play in coach-athlete success, identified as: recruitment, communication, caring, culture, and trust. Findings resulted in the creation of a tool that assists in visualizing the reciprocal relationships between revealed dimensions and themes within a coach-athlete relationship (R-CART; Reciprocating Coach-Athlete Relationship Tool). Finally a qualitative longitudinal case study was conducted examine the evolution of the CAR over a season and to assess the impact of a visual tool to help guide coaches in enhancing the CAR. Two post-secondary teams and head coaches were chosen, one female and one male. The process of the study included an initial modification process of the R-CART, initiating the R-CART through a multiple qualitative case study, data analysis of case studies and further amendment of the R-CART. Team athletes were provided with an 11-item Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q) and additional comments to evaluate the coach-athlete relationship. Results from the CART-Q were considered and cross-referenced with the R-CART, coach interviews and interventions ensued based on the student-athlete feedback. The findings suggested subtle amendments to the model and the R-CART potentially is a trustworthy tool for coaches developing, maintaining, and repairing the coach-athlete relationship. Collectively, this dissertation has expanded the current knowledge of coach-athlete relationships, providing coaches with a prospective tool for advancement in the area of coach-athlete relationships. Future research should aim to examine the role coach-athlete relationships in different context, such as grassroots sport, and look at the potential impact of the R-CART in those areas. / Graduate / 2017-04-21

Os procedimentos para desenvolvimento de competências das lideranças passam por constantes transformações de abordagens e metodologias. Muitas empresas, como forma de desenvolver seus líderes, têm implementado programas de coaching para que seus executivos, não somente se apropriem de novos modelos mentais, como também desenvolvam ou consolidem competências comportamentais essenciais ou técnicas para o trabalho atual e futuro. Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar a contribuição do programa de coaching na carreira do executivo do vale do Paraíba, sob a percepção dos profissionais de Recursos Humanos e executivos que passaram pelo processo O estudo foi desenvolvido em duas etapas. A primeira delas, com o objetivo de levantamento, classifica-se como exploratória e descritiva. A amostra teve por base a publicação do Guia Exame Melhores e Maiores, no ano de 2009, e as empresas foram contatadas por entrevista telefônica. A segunda etapa foi de natureza qualitativa, com o critério de acessibilidade a duas empresas do setor químico e petroquímico. Foram entrevistados, por meio de roteiro semiestruturado, profissionais de Recursos Humanos e executivos. Os resultados da primeira etapa demonstraram que somente 07 empresas da amostra, de um total de 22, disponibilizaram dados efetivos sobre o processo de coaching, e que, destas, 43% possuem um programa de coaching formal, dedicado, em sua maioria, para executivos e potenciais. A segunda etapa, qualitativa, evidenciou: 1) falta de homogeneidade no conceito de coaching por parte dos entrevistados; 2) processo de coaching mais voltado para manutenção da carreira atual do que para preparo futuro, sendo uma intenção total da empresa, e não do indivíduo 3) não existência de alinhamento por parte dos profissionais de RH e dos executivos quanto a todas as etapas que compõem o programa de coaching, quando relacionado com a teoria; 4) fragilidade nas duas organizações, quanto ao processo de identificação das necessidades ou propósito para o coaching, o que reflete diretamente no processo de avaliação dos resultados; 5) processo de implementação de uma cultura de Leader coach ainda está em fase inicial de implementação. / Procedures for leadership skills developing pass through constant transformations of approaches and methodologies. Many companies, as a way to develop their leaders have implemented coaching programs for their executives, not only to them have ownership of new mental models, as well as consolidate and develop behavioral skills and techniques to current and future work. This study aims to examine the contribution of the coaching program at the executives career in the Paraíba valley, by the perception of HR professionals and executives who have undergone through the coaching process The study was conducted in two phases. First one, with the goal of collecting data, it is classified as exploratory and descriptive. The sampling was based on the publication of the magazine so called Guia Exama Melhores e Maiores in 2009, and companies were contacted by telephone interview. The second phase was qualitative, with the criteria of accessibility to two companies in chemical and petrochemical sector. HR professionals and executives were interviewed through a semi-structured script. Results of the first stage have showed that only 07 companies out of 22 in the sampling provided effective data about the coaching process an within these 7, just 43% have a formal coaching program dedicated mostly to executives and prospective executives. The second phase, the qualitative one has pointed out: 1) lack of homogeneity in the concept of coaching by part of interviewee; 2) coaching process more focused on maintaining the current career than to prepare for the future, with an overall demand of the company, not directed on the person; 3) misalignment by HR professionals and executives about all the steps that make up the coaching program when connected with the theory; 4) weakness in both organizations, about the process of identifying needs or purpose to coaching, which is directly reflected in the outcome of the process; 5) implementation process of a culture of Leader coach is still in early stages of implementation.

Den här studien syftar till att belysa UEFA-Pro som utbildning för att förstå hur kravet på licens kan motiveras. Licensen ger behörighet att verka som huvudtränare på svensk fotbolls elitnivå, med andra ord Allsvenskan, Superettan och OBOS Damallsvenskan. Empirin utgörs av semistrukturerade intervjuer med tränare som verkar eller verkat på hög, svensk nivå, samt en representant från fotbollsförbundet. Som teoretisk utgångspunkt har vi använt oss av Coté & Gilbert (2009) för att undersöka i vilken utsträckning utbildningen täcker de kunskapsområden som anses viktiga i en svensk elitkontext. Hur utbildningen värderar tränarnas tysta kunskap är ytterligare perspektiv i studien (Nash & Collins, 2006). Det är en kvalitativ intervjustudie med ett induktivt förhållningssätt. Resultat av studien visar på ett brett kursinnehåll som täcker de berörda kunskaperna från studiens teoretiska perspektiv. Samtidigt visar studien att det behövs ytterligare forskning på dagens formella tränarutbildningar då den kritik som framkommit mot dessa till viss del upplevs utdaterad. Viss begränsning finns i studien eftersom empirin utgörs av endast sex intervjuer och således blir det svårt att återge en bild som är representativ för hela den svenska tränarkåren som verkar på elitnivå. / This study aims to highlight the UEFA Pro as an education to understand how the requirement for the license can be justified for eligibility to operate as an elite level coach in Swedish football. The requirement of UEFA Pro license applies to Allsvenskan, Superettan and OBOS Damallsvenskan.  The empirical data is obtained by semi-structured interviews with coaches that are or recently have been working at a prominent level of Swedish football. The Swedish football federation is also represented as an interview object. The purpose is to examine the image of the content in the educational process. As a theoretical framework, we have used Coté & Gilbert (2009) to investigate the extent to which the education covers the areas of knowledge that are considered important in a Swedish elite context. We have also used (Nash & Collins, 2006) tacit knowledge as a further perspective in the study. The method is qualitative and the approach inductive. The results proves that the content is wide and does cover relevant knowledge from the theoretical perspective. The study highlights that further research is needed on today’s formal coach educations as the criticism that has emerged against these perceived as outdated.  There is some limitation in the study because the empirical data consists of only six interviews, and it would be difficult to produce an image that is representative of the entire Swedish coaching staff that operates at elite level.

Coaching is an actionable way for adults to learn. For purposes of this study, learning was conceptualized  by UNESCO\'s five pillars of learning to know, do, live together, be, and learning to transform oneself and society. The practice of coaching was defined as a social enterprise where, through a process of inquiry and reflection, coaches help coachees achieve their personal and professional goals through learning, self-awareness and behavior change. As an application of learning for adults, coaching may be considered a reflection of andragogy "the art and science of helping adults learn" a la Knowles. The following questions guided the inquiry: 1. To what extent is there a relationship between andragogy in practice and coaching in practice as demonstrated by coaches? 2. Specifically, which principles and processes of andragogy are reflected in the practice of coaching? 3. What are the best practices of coaches who use andragogy in their practice? Using a mixed method, sequential explanatory strategy, business and life coaches were surveyed, with follow-up interviews to high scorers, to see which principles and processes of andragogy informed their coaching practices. An instrument, originally developed by Henschke (1989) for teachers, was modified for use with coaches, and measured the extent to which coaches used the philosophy of andragogy in their practices. Knowles\' six principles and eight processes of andragogy formed the operational framework. Findings indicated that 98% of the coaches reported using andragogy on an average or above basis, with 48% of the group at above average or high above average levels. Andragogical elements of empathy, trust and accommodating coachee uniqueness were revealed at above average or high above average levels. Of those interviewed, 100% of the coaches reported using the principles and processes of andragogy in their practices. Based on their stories, best practices (88) for engaging andragogy in the practice of coaching were developed. The overarching themes from the study were: Andragogy is a way of being in coaching; the processes of andragogy go beyond the context of coaching; and an emergence of a conceptual framework that embraced the pillars of learning, andragogy and the practice of coaching. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to explore and document the various roles of Virginia's Reading First reading coaches. The goal of Reading First is to ensure that all students learn to read at grade level or above by the end of third grade. Because of No Child Left Behind legislation and the mandates set forth by Reading First, reading coaches are in demand. In order to gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of reading coaches, this study was based on qualitative methodology. Specifically, the data collection consisted of a self-administered survey sent to Virginia's 95 Reading First reading coaches. The data revealed that the majority of Virginia's Reading First reading coaches had K-3 teaching experience and reading specialist certification. Reading coaches perceived that they are impacting reading teachers' practices. Furthermore, reading coaches indicated they are supported by the principal, LEA, and state level Reading First reading specialists. As a result of this study, it is recommended that additional studies involving the effect of reading coaches on school-wide reading achievement be conducted. Similarly, additional research concerning the best type of professional development to assist reading coaches in their positions is warranted. Additional research is needed to determine if there is a difference in reading coaches' effectiveness on teacher practice when they have support from state-level reading experts compared to those without such support

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.