Applied Coaching Research Journal Research Journal 4 | Page 8

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2019, Vol. 4
APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2019, Vol. 4
Reflection on and in Learning
Dr Wayne Allison
League Managers Association and
UK Coaching Board Member
Welcome to the fourth edition of the Applied
Coaching Research Journal. It is a pleasure to
be able to share with you another collection
of peer-reviewed articles from a wide range of
organisations and institutions, which could have a
significant impact on the industry.
Any coach development programme must be
clearly connected to the context and requirements
of the coach. The requirement to better understand
individual needs and how best these can be met
is crucial; therefore, the link between competency
developmental systems and subsequent ownership
of the development journey definitely needs
exploring further.
This edition takes a closer look at coach
education and development, encompassing talent
identification, reflective practice and coach
diversity.
First up we have Mark Scott who investigates how
coaches can use reflection-in-action to develop
their coaching craft. Different types of reflection
are discussed, and how using these different types
of reflection at different times can help grow our
ways of knowing.
The second article by Professor Kevin Till and
Simon Bell takes a look at something which
could change the way a lot of sports view talent
identification. Specifically, this research looks
at how talent ID can be used for later maturing
players, something which the Leeds Rhinos rugby
league team have benefited from. This new
approach could open the door for so many more
players across a range of sports who mature at a
different rate to their peers.
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The art of reflection can be a key driver in
improving as a coach – this is a skill that requires
time, commitment and repetition in order to be
successful, so in this edition, we have two articles
covering the subject. In the second reflection article,
Pete Vallance casts his critical eye over the role
of reflective practice in the development of sports
coaches.
Dr Alex Twitchen and Professor Ben Oakley take
a closer look at the subject of coach learning
and development in the UK. The article will give
you an insight into the change in thinking that is
currently underway, where the focus is moving
away from coach 'education'. They will also make
recommendations to ensure we continue working
on – and rethinking – a coach learning and
development system that embraces a more diverse
workforce.
And finally, we have a Q&A with Hannah Bussey,
Chair of the Insight Peer Networking Group, which
was conducted by Clare Freer. The highlights include
how the group is tackling key issues in coaching,
including diversity in coaching, participant retention,
the coach/participant relationship and the coach
education offer.
We hope you enjoy reading this edition of the
journal and learn something from the research we
have highlighted. If you would like to get involved in
future editions please get in touch with a member of
the team. I would also like to take this opportunity
to remind you to register your interest on the UK
Coaching website for the third Applied Coaching
Research Conference taking place in 2020.
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