A1 Journal article (refereed)
Hobby, career or vocation? Meanings in sports coaching and their implications for recruitment and retention of coaches (2020)
Ronkainen, Noora J.; Ryba, Tatiana V.; McDougall, Michael; Tod, David; Tikkanen, Olli (2020). Hobby, career or vocation? Meanings in sports coaching and their implications for recruitment and retention of coaches. Managing Sport and Leisure, Early online. DOI: 10.1080/23750472.2020.1803108
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Ronkainen, Noora J.; Ryba, Tatiana V.; McDougall, Michael; Tod, David; Tikkanen, Olli
Journal or series: Managing Sport and Leisure
ISSN: 2375-0472
eISSN: 2375-0480
Publication year: 2020
Volume: Early online
Publisher: Routledge
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2020.1803108
Open Access: Publication channel is not openly available
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/71404
Publication is parallel published: http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/13403/
Abstract
Methodology: Drawing on narrative inquiry, we explored the various meanings and justifications that athletics (track and field) coaches assign to coaching in Finland and England. Twenty-three coaches (8 women, 15 men) aged 22–86 participated in narrative interviews that were analysed using thematic narrative analysis.
Findings: The younger coaches mainly constructed coaching as a hobby and more often placed value on personal benefits, whereas many older coaches described coaching as a vocation/calling and emphasised causes that transcend the self (e.g. tradition, duty and leaving a legacy).
Practical implications: Understanding the diverse ways in which coaching is meaningful is vital for supporting the recruitment and retention of the coaching workforce in sport clubs.
Research contribution: The study extends understandings of meaningful work in coaching and how coaching is shaped by the broader structural and ideological contexts of the work.
Keywords: coaching; coaches (occupations); voluntariness; vocation (calling); career; career development; professional development; meaningfulness; identity (mental objects); narrative analysis
Free keywords: volunteerism; meaningful work; coach identity; career development; narrative
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: No, publication in press