Care in sport coaching; different perspectives and alternative voices

Abstract

ABSTRACT It is well established that coaching is a social process indexed to particular and dynamic contexts e.g., recreation sport, high-performance sport. Inherent to these contexts, and the social process, is the relationship between an athlete and a coach. It has been argued from moral, legal, and performance enhancing perspectives that these relationships should be caring relationships, where coaches support athletes’ with their sporting needs. Yet, our understanding of how coaches can develop such caring relationships remains somewhat partial. This is because to date, coaches’ perspectives have largely dominated care research. These insights are valuable but not sufficient given that athletes are essential to the relationship, and should be afforded space to articulate their own care experiences and needs. Indeed, critical perspectives and alternative voices are warranted within care in coaching research. In response, this editorial begins by providing an overview of the extant research on care in coaching, before introducing six articles in this special issue. These articles advance our understanding by depicting the multifaceted ways that coaches can care and by amplifying the voice of athletes. The editorial also highlights 7 research questions in order that athlete-coach relationships can be informed by a substantial corpus of care research. Together the editorial and papers in this special issue provide a comprehensive addition to our existing understanding of care in coaching, which can inform future practice, policy and research.