COACH TRACKING STUDYJohn McIlroy , Information Manager

John Driscoll, Executive Director

The background and context

• Lead agency for coaching in the UK• Established in 1983 as “coaching arm” of the Sports Council• Majority of funding from Sport England and UK Sport• Coaching Matters established need for research into coaching

demands and requirements• The UK Vision for Coaching and Coaching Task Force reinforced

need for research into coaching

One of the largest studies undertaken into coaching

These coaches are the backbone of the system and their opinions are important

Who is being coached?

Beginner Improver Club County0

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20

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40

50

60

ftptvol

Younger children (4-11 ye

Older Children (12-16 yea

Young People (17 -20 year

Adults (21+ years)

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10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

ftptvol

Three quarters of full-time coaches work

with younger children

Over one-third of volunteers are

active in clubs

Adults participants are more likely to come into contact

with volunteers

Starting to coach

Motivation to continue

Support received

Developing as a coach

Stopping coaching

The Coaching Journey

Similarities, differences and issues

Why do people decide to become a coach?

Full-time coach

1. Start a career in coaching (66%)

2. Give something back (50%)

3. Stay involved in sport (31%)

Volunteer coach

1.Give something back (60%)

2. Lack of coaches (53%)

3. Start a career in coaching (34%)

Differences

FT more influenced by careers

Vol more influenced by lack of coaches, helping their children and helping their old club

Why do people continue to coach?Nine out of ten coaches agree

I like the interaction with participants I like seeing participants develop their skills and improve I like the buzz when participants do well, knowing that I had something to do with that

Differences

FT more likely to be influenced by careers and salaries PLUS personal development, competition and maintaining involvement

Vol more likely to be influenced by helping their children and helping their old club

Do coaches feel supported?Full-time coaches are much more likely to feel supported by their governing body (86% 59%)

Identifying development needs

Knowing the next steps for your coaching

Identifying development opportunities

Help with the cost of development opportunities

Help with finding appropriate opportunities to coach

Help with career opportunities in coaching

Overall support

30% 50% 70% 90%

volft

Support volunteer coaches want

• Better communication• Funding• More mentoring and individual support• A support network

That the XXXX actually starts to listen to coaches and appreciates that the majority of coaches are volunteers. Provide better support

for community coaches.

A possible network system for coaches - maybe a forum?

How do coaches develop?

Volunteers and full-time coaches agree on the most important sources of learning

• Coaching practice• Working with participants• Reading books, magazines etc• Reflection

Differences

FT coaches place more importance on Training Needs Analysis, qualifications and conferences

Vol coaches place more importance on work experience, working with other coaches and their experiences as a player

Why do coaches stop?

93

7

personalsystem-re-lated

79

27

personalsystem-re-lated

Full-time

Volunteers

Less opportunity of finding work in this area.

Less opportunities and had less time. Would have liked to have continued, but there just wasn't enough money in the sector to continue.

Lack of support at my club. not enough time with work life balance. Frustration.

Because of bad management of the football team and because of the club as a whole, being too concerned about money, more than about teaching the kids about football.

System related comments

Conclusion

Starting to coach

Volunteers more focussed on the community and helping others

Motivation to continue

Primary reasons are personal and results are consistent across ALL coaches

Secondary reasons show volunteers are more focussed on community concerns

Support received

The most striking difference is how volunteers are less likely to feel supported by their Governing Body

Developing as a coach

ALL coaches have similar development preferencesVolunteers are more likely to place importance on informal learning

Stopping coaching

Not surprisingly volunteers are more likely to stop coaching for system related reasons

Coaching in their own words