Applied Coaching Research Journal Research Journal 5 | Page 9

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2020, Vol. 5
programmes. The article concludes by highlighting
that future research should explore the value
created by coach developers, through extended
case studies which examine enhancements in the
professional practice of the coaches supported.
Mike Ashford, Dr Jamie Poolton and Dr Andrew
Abraham investigate rugby coaches’ beliefs and
intended strategies when developing decision
making in RFU Premiership Academy teams.
Quotations from one case study are used to
exemplify divergences and confluences between
beliefs, behaviours and actions of coaches in
relation to developing decision making. A key
take home message is that of striving for balance
between off-field tasks and on-field practice. The
authors advocate for critical reflection of practice,
proposing that highlighting disparities between
a coach’s thinking (belief and ideals) and doing
(the reality of their practice) provides learning
opportunities, whereas identifying where and
how these aspects effectively align can reinforce
best practice.
The following two articles present an analysis
of coach developer programmes identifying
the importance of effective design, the need
for ongoing evaluation and the importance of
challenging existing approaches when engaging
‘hard to reach' individuals. Focusing on the
examination of coach development programmes for
the performance foundation stage, Nicky Proctor,
Dr Julian North and Dr Bob Muir undertake a
critical evaluation of the Performance Foundation
Coach Support (PFCS) programme, with the aim of
informing and enhancing design and delivery of
coach learning and development programmes. The
findings point towards positive advancements in
coach education, relative to studies from previous
decades, and highlight the importance of selection
and recruitment practices for coach learning and
development programmes.
Taking a different perspective on coach
development, Rus Smith’s article centres on the
#CoachMate programme, supported by Street
Games. The #CoachMate programme is an initiative
targeting young people living and coaching in
areas of recognised deprivation. The programme
responds to the Sport England (2016) Coaching
Plan for England in aspiring to diversify the
coaching workforce and reduce real and perceived
barriers to coach learning and development.
The case study of one individual is used as an
illustrative and inspiring example of how a bespoke
coach mentoring scheme can literally change lives.
This article evidences the need for alternative
access possibilities for – and approaches to – coach
development schemes, which extend beyond
formalised training programmes.
The final article by Sophie Burton, Harry Stow and
Dr Daniel Lock extends the theme of ‘widening
access and participation’ through investigating
diversity in physical activity and sporting
communities specifically in relation to the
representation of LGBT+ individuals within the
existing workforce. Identifying that members of
the LGBT+ community tend to be less active than
heterosexuals, this study aimed to uncover some
of the barriers to sports and physical activity
participation for this population. It appears that
feeling comfortable to express one’s own identity
(sexual and gender) and having role models within
the workforce are important factors in supporting a
‘safe space’ for LGBT+ individuals to engage. Perhaps
unsurprisingly however, the analysis indicated that
minority groups were less likely to be represented
in physical activity workforces. This is an important
article which provides an opportunity to reflect
further on Sport England’s 2016 plan to diversify
the coaching workforce, considering participatory
factors beyond socioeconomic.
All in all, this edition provides a snapshot of the
content that formed the #MaximisingPotential
conference. I thoroughly enjoyed the event and
was honoured to be one of three keynote speakers,
alongside the fabulous Donna Fraser and inspiring
Dr Steve Ingham. Other personal take aways from
the day included the role of humility in coaching
practice (Paul Garner), an online programme to
enhance knowledge and confidence in detecting
eating disorders (Dr Carolyn Plateau and Dr Zoe
McVinnie), considerations for coaching disabled
performers (Gus Ryrie) and how coach manipulation
of practice task constraints can facilitate positive
skill development (Dr Graham Turner). If you missed
the conference, be sure to look out for it next year,
but in the meantime enjoy reading this compilation
of selected studies…and keep striving to maximise
your own potential and the potential of the
individuals that you encounter.
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