A1 Journal article (refereed)
“I want to do well for myself as well!” : Constructing coaching careers in elite women’s football (2020)

Ronkainen, N. J., Sleeman, E., & Richardson, D. (2020). “I want to do well for myself as well!” : Constructing coaching careers in elite women’s football. Sports Coaching Review, 9(3), 321-339. https://doi.org/10.1080/21640629.2019.1676089

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ronkainen, Noora J.; Sleeman, Emily; Richardson, David

Journal or series: Sports Coaching Review

ISSN: 2164-0629

eISSN: 2164-0637

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 9

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 321-339

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21640629.2019.1676089

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/72609

Publication is parallel published: http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/11665/

Abstract

There is a limited understanding of the career development of sport coaches and how they design their lives in and through sport. We drew on career construction theory and narrative methodology to explore football coaches’ career development, adaptability resources, and the meanings they assigned to their journeys. Ten women’s football (soccer) coaches (2 women) aged 23–60 in England took part in narrative interviews. Our analysis indicated that early immersion into the football narrative context often resulted in low career exploration and a strong commitment to coaching as an attempt to keep the footballing identity narrative “going”. The coaches were resourceful in crafting their coaching careers; however, most of them expressed little concern or curiosity for other careers, leaving them vulnerable to psychological distress if unable to realise their career ambition. Women’s elite football presented a novel, attractive context for quicker career advancement and developing an elite coach identity.

Keywords: coaches (occupations); professional identity; identity (mental objects); career development; narrative analysis; women's sports

Free keywords: coach identity; career development; narrative; vignettes; women’s sport

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 1