sportscotland Institute of Sport is delighted to invite you to a learning programme helping coaches explore ‘Athlete-Coach Relationships & Effective Coaching’. We have been working with Professor Sophia Jowett (Loughborough University and UK Sport) who is internationally recognised for her work in this field to design the learning series.
‘There are many examples of high-profile coaches who have embraced and applied the notion of the “relational coaching environment” (Jowett & Shanmugam, 2016, p. 471) at the heart of which lies building good quality relationships. Coaches who have achieved the highest sport accolades with their athletes all over the world have talked openly about the role and significance of the coach-athlete relationship and include Pep Guardiola (football), Mike Krzyzewski (basketball), Lisa Alexander (netball), Marcus Wiese and Danny Kerry (hockey), Aimee Boorman (gymnastics), Ans Botham (athletics), and Mel Marshall and Bob Bowman (swimming). It becomes immediately apparent that these coaches recognise the value of connecting with each athlete in their team signalling that they have nothing but their athletes’ very best interests at heart. Such coaches become ‘talent magnets’ because athletes want to work with and for them.’
Jowett, S., & Slade, K. (2021). Understanding the coach-athlete relationship and the role of ability, intentions and integrity. In , C. Heaney, N. Kentzer, & B. Oakley (Eds.) Athletic Development: A Psychological Perspective. Upcoming OPEN UNIVERSITY publication
This module aims to enhance knowledge and understanding about the interpersonal dynamics between coaches and athletes. Its point of departure is that coaching is an interpersonal situation (process and practice) that involves both the coach and each athlete in a squad. As a coach and a given athlete interact in training, in competition and in other settings, they develop a working relationship. This coach-athlete relationship is at the heart of coaching and its quality has the potential to determine the effectiveness and success of coaching. In this course, coaches will familiarise themselves with the role the coach-athlete relationship plays in coaching and the significance it has for both athletes’ and coaches’ performance and wellbeing.
Jowett 2007 and Jowett & Felton 2022 refer to ‘The 3+1C’s Model of the Coach-Athlete Relationship: Closeness, Commitment, Co-orientation and Complementarity’. This module will help you consider what actions/behaviours or interactions are likely to promote these 4 characteristics that define good quality coach-athlete relationships.
About Professor Sophia Jowett:
Sophia Jowett, PhD, is a professor of psychology at Loughborough University, United Kingdom. Sophia’s work revolves around interpersonal relationships, leadership and communication. Currently, she is working at UK Sport as a consultant on an exciting project that focuses on women’s leadership development and their advancement into senior coach-related roles.
Sophia’s research has been funded by such institutions as Economic and Social Research Council, British Academy, Nuffield Foundation, UK Coaching, UK Sport, Sasakawa Foundation, Hellenic Olympic Committee and HSBC. The findings of her research have been published extensively in a range of scientific journals, book chapters and conference presentations held nationally and internationally (including webinars, blogs etc). Her research has informed coach development across the world. Examples of significant nation-wide practical impact include her work with UK Coaching, UK Sport, Sport England and National Governing Sport Bodies.
Format of the course:
8 x 1 hour Webinars, Mondays, 12noon - 1pm, starting on Monday 3rd October
Content will include presentations, Q&A, discussions, readings and tasks for consideration / completion between Monday sessions
Webinars will be recorded and hosted on Brightspace (Virtual Learning Environment) to allow coaches to catch-up or revisit content when convenient, but to optimise the learning experience we do encourage coaches to try and keep pace with the regular Monday 12-1pm.
Part 1: Theoretical & Empirical underpinnings
Coaching – An exploration into what is coaching?
The coach-athlete relationship as a phenomenon and its association with coaching
The role and significance of the coach-athlete relationship
The determinants of good versus not-so-good coach-athlete relationships
Part 2: Practical or Applied Underpinnings
Communication strategies as the fuel of quality coach-athlete relationships: Motivational Strategy
Openness as a communication strategy and its links to Psychological Safety
Coach-Athlete Conflict and its Management
Tandem and Concluding reflections
Session Dates:
03/10/22
10/10/22
(Break 17/10/22 and 24/10/22)
31/10/22
07/11/22
14/11/22
21/11/22
28/11/22
05/12/22
To access the live webinar learning series, please register by Wednesday 28th September, and a link to the session will be sent to you:
