Applied Coaching Research Journal Research Journal 5 | Page 33

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2020, Vol. 5
the implementation and
impact of the programme.
As part of the project,
observations of coaching
sessions and interviews with
coaches were conducted.
Leanne identified multiple
impacts of the Open Goals
programme including:
1) i  ncreasing family time
together,
2) b
 ringing the community
together, and
3) i  mproving physical, social
and mental health and
well-being.
Leanne highlighted that the
fidelity of most sessions was
high, although the delivery
aspects scoring lowest were
co-participation with adult
participants and session
reflections/debrief. She
suggested that fidelity could
be improved by providing
greater opportunities for
co-participation. More
information about the
programme can be found
here.
Female coaching experiences
Gareth Barrett took on the
poster challenge to share his
research on women rugby
union coaches’ experiences
of coaching and coach
education in England and
Ireland. Gareth interviewed
women rugby coaches
about their experiences
and found that they all
had similar experiences.
Using an ecological model,
he presented the barriers
experienced by female
coaches (eg lack of role
models, ‘old boys’ tradition,
gender role conflict) as well
as facilitators (eg female
educators, mentoring, finding
coaching enjoyable). Gareth
recommends providing
women rugby coaches with
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