Formal coach education programmes: perceptions from coaches

Fulfilling the pivotal role of the sports coach, within the complex and dynamic field that is sport, demands imaginative, dynamic and thoughtful coaches. Formal coach education programmes are often seen as the essential avenue in the development of competent, qualified coaches. Such programmes are believed to contribute to the essential content and pedagogical knowledge required by a coach. However, conflicting evidence suggests that many coaches actually disagree with the content of current programmes but, out of necessity to gain certification for employment, continue to support them via course attendance. This may reflect the power the national governing bodies currently hold, in that coaches have much to loose by contesting the programme. Such concerns about the nature of the programmes do not make them redundant but do pose the question of where current coach education programmes are falling short in the eyes of the aspirant coach. The aim of this research was to investigate the perceived strengths and weaknesses of formal coach education programmes, from the perspective of coaches themselves.