A1 Journal article (refereed)
Hobby, career or vocation? Meanings in sports coaching and their implications for recruitment and retention of coaches (2022)
Ronkainen, N. J., Ryba, T. V., McDougall, M., Tod, D., & Tikkanen, O. (2022). Hobby, career or vocation? Meanings in sports coaching and their implications for recruitment and retention of coaches. Managing Sport and Leisure, 27(4), 381-396. https://doi.org/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: 2022
Publication date: 06/08/2020
Volume: 27
Issue number: 4
Pages range: 381-396
Publisher: Routledge
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2020.1803108
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
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
Related research datasets
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2023
JUFO rating: 1