Research Centre for Sport Coaching

The Research Centre for Sport Coaching is a focal point for the discussion, advocacy, and development of:

• Effective and ethical sport coaching practice to improve participant and performer development experiences and outcomes
• Coach learning, development, and education
• Coaching policy and systems

We want coaching stakeholders, whether novice or expert, and regardless of their workplace, to tell their story and to engage in effective dialogue, to make coaching better.

WHAT WE DO

We provide an inclusive environment, whilst focusing on identifying and addressing those issues that hinder joint working and inclusivity. In addition to the three core themes identified above, the following issues have emerged in early conversations:

• There are over 1 million individuals in the UK who identify as a coach. We want to understand why many of our coaches, and indeed, others such as coaching academics, feel isolated
• We want to understand the breadth or narrowness of the coaching role, how it links to other sporting guidance and support roles
• We want to understand and improve how coaches and practitioners can work together notably in the performance environment, to provide an ‘applied sport science for coaches’
• We want to understand why some groups experience challenges in accessing, remaining in, or progressing within coaching
• We want to understand the demands of the labour market, the rights and responsibilities of those involved, and the role that education/professional development plays in preparing people for and supporting people in coaching