The Social Work Sport Coach: New Possibilities for a Contemporary Coaching Pedagogy

Abstract

Summary

Youth sport plays a crucial role in the healthy development of youth. When designed and implemented appropriately, sport can serve as a platform to advocate for social justice and engage in social justice promotion. Although the intersectionality of youth sport coaching and social work is a relatively novel concept, critical lessons may be learned from professions that traditionally operate outside of the context of sport. To progress youth sport and youth sport coaching into the future, the current study seeks to reimage youth sport coaching by exploring alternative pedagogical approaches gleaned from sport social workers who hold multiple roles. Specifically, the current study seeks to explore the values, approaches, and skills used by sport social workers who embody a dual role within competitive youth sport.

Findings

A total of 10 sport social workers engaged in a semi-structured interview series in which participants were interviewed on two occasions, approximately 1 week apart. All participants had earned at least a Master of Social Work degree and, on average, had 8.8 years of social work experiences and 11.4 years of coaching experience. Findings from the reflexive thematic analysis provide novel insights into a contemporary coaching pedagogy, including a focus on biopsychosocial development, strengths-based coaching, and evidence-based clinical social work practices.

Applications

Ultimately, the social work profession—which is dedicated to meeting the basic needs of all people and holds the mission of enhancing individual and societal wellbeing—provides a unique perspective that can serve to foster transformative sport experiences.