Applied Coaching Research Journal Research Journal 5 | Page 28

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2020, Vol. 5 “[Recognition by the Police] made me feel that somebody took notice in the hard work that I was doing, and everything that I was doing was for a reason.” Implications for coaching Analysis of the data captured to date, and evidence drawn from other research, suggests several implications for coach learning and development: • Coach learning and development can be considerably enhanced through a mixture of different activities that are constructed around the individual needs of the coach. • Formal coaching qualifications could be enhanced by other forms of support and opportunities, to initiate significant change in coaching practice. • The skill and expertise of the mentor is significant, and additional resource and investment into their learning and development would benefit coaches. • Consideration of how this personalised support can be scaled up to reach larger audiences of coaches is an important issue for the sustainability of such a programme. Next steps The #CoachMate Connectors programme is continuing to grow and evolve. As it does, more lessons will be learnt, and as more data is captured, further analysis will be undertaken and findings shared. The programme is striving to make a difference to the lives of those who are most disadvantaged. This means developing a sensitive and flexible approach to coach learning and development that is tailored to everyone. 28 References Smith, R. and Leflay, K. (2018) Evaluation of the Coach Mate Connectors Programme. UK Coaching Applied Coaching Research Journal, 2: 10-17. Sport England. (2016) Coaching in an Active Nation, The Coaching Plan for England: 2017-2021 [online]. Available from: https:// sportengland-production-files.s3.eu-west-2. amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/coaching-in-an- active-nation_the-coaching-plan-for-england. pdf?rpexaSIivuYWJJL6DaenRiR6981vYAAj Contact Rus Smith – [email protected] University of Wolverhampton and StreetGames – training.academy@ streetgames.org