Coach professional pathways in elite Brazilian futsal: An ecological systems approach

Abstract

Drawing on Ecological Systems Theory (EST), this study explores how elite Brazilian futsal coaches retrospectively interpret their professional pathways, attending to how influences operating at intrapersonal, interpersonal, organisational, and sociocultural levels are perceived and connected within their accounts. Using a qualitative, interpretive design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten coaches working in the top professional league of Brazilian futsal. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, with EST employed as a heuristic framework to organise and interpret multi-level influences shaping coaches’ pathways. The findings portray coaching pathways as negotiated and contingent processes, dynamically embedded within personal histories, relational networks, institutional arrangements, and broader sociocultural conditions. Coaches described strong reliance on self-directed learning and experiential knowledge, sustained through mentoring and peer networks, while simultaneously navigating ambiguous certification systems and regulatory constraints that influenced access, recognition, and professional mobility. This study highlights the value of ecological perspectives for understanding coaching pathways in elite sport contexts and underscores the need for more situated coach education frameworks that recognise diverse entry routes, relational learning processes, and the sociocultural conditions shaping professional progression.