Applied Coaching Research Journal Research Journal Volume 3 | Page 34

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2019, Vol. 3
Athletes’ Views on Care in
Coaching: Perspectives of
Women Footballers in the UK
Lois Daniels
Sheffield United Women FC, Sheffield United Academy
Dr Colum Cronin*
Sport Coaching Research Group, School of Sport, Leisure and Nutrition, Liverpool John Moores University
Abstract
In recent times, researchers have argued that
coaches should develop relationships that are
caring and meet the needs of athletes. Yet, the
views of athletes themselves are notably absent
from this research. In response, this study used
interviews to explore the care experiences of four
case study footballers. Findings demonstrated that:
1) club culture influenced the care that participants
received; 2) dialogue was both an enabler of good
care, but also a means of disseminating uncaring
attitudes; 3) a ‘web of care’ was provided by
individuals other than the coach. These findings
provide an original contribution by using the voice
of athletes themselves to consider care in coaching.
Keywords: Care, football, female, dialogue, culture.
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Introduction
From a psychological perspective, the work of
Jowett and colleagues has long identified that
coach-athlete relationships are key to successful
coaching Jowett and colleagues (2007). Similarly,
from a sociological perspective, it has been argued
that social interaction between athletes and
coaches are at the heart of the coaching process
(eg Jones, Armour and Potrac, 2004). This emphasis
on relationships reflects a view of coaching as
a pedagogical task, in which teachers (coaches),
learners (athletes) and curriculum (sport) all interact
within a given sporting context (Armour, 2011).
Related to this, it has recently been argued that care
is a key component of coach-athlete relationships
(Cronin and Armour, 2018). Such a conclusion is
not controversial. Indeed, reflecting the view of
coaching as a pedagogical process, it has long been