ECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH16
Introduction: Tennis ranks among the most widely followed sports globally, with a fanbase exceeding one billion and media revenues approaching $700 million. In light of its popularity and global success, it is not entirely surprising that professional tennis players and coaches face challenges inherent to the sport, including extensive travel, social isolation, and an income structure heavily reliant on performance outcomes. Although there is a large body of literature dedicated to effective coaching across different contexts (i.e., sport type, geography), little research has specifically explored coaching within the professional tennis environment. Methods: The purpose of this study was to explore professional tennis coaches’ perspectives of their unique coaching context, including how this context influenced their coaching practices. We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with five professional tennis coaches, each of whom was coaching a top 20 ranked player at the time of the study. On average, these coaches had over 15 years of tour coaching experience and had collectively guided male and female players to win four singles grand slam titles and one grand slam doubles title. Furthermore, this group of coaches had achieved more than 15 ATP titles with their current players. Using a reflexive thematic analysis, interviews were transcribed verbatim and arranged into codes, themes, and overarching themes (Braun et al., 2016). Results: Our reflexive thematic analysis highlighted coaches’ perceptions of a unique power-dynamic in which their player was their employer, potentially affecting the style and content of their coaching feedback. Coaches also emphasized the demanding nature of the tour on players, highlighting the importance of providing social support while also recognizing the importance of taking time apart to avoid relationship burnout. Furthermore, participants underlined the challenges incoming coaches face in learning to navigate this unique context, noting that the sport’s competitive nature often made established coaches hesitant to provide mentorship. Conclusions: Overall, this study is among the first to present qualitative data from an elite sample of professional tennis coaches who shared their perceptions of coaching within this distinctive coaching context. The findings provide valuable information to current and prospective professional individual-sport coaches by highlighting how some of the world’s best tennis coaches navigate their environment, offering coaching strategies to enhance their coaching effectiveness and success.
Read CV Gordon BloomECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH16
Research on youth and talent development has increased significantly; however, women remain substantially underrepresented (Williams et al., 2020). The rapid global expansion of women’s soccer is evident in its growing geographical reach, the number of registered players, and the establishment of soccer academies. In Hungary, a new talent development system was introduced in 2021 with the launch of six sports academies. This study focuses on the experiences of selection processes and expectations of players, coaches, and parents regarding the female academy system. Data were collected from all six sports academies in Hungary. The sample comprised 262 female players, 37 coaches, and 218 parents (78%, 100% & 65% of the total population). A structured questionnaire using a 4-point Likert scale, along with a document analysis of the academies pedagogical programs, was utilized. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and qualitative content analysis. Results revealed that both female players and parents rated “hope of success” (M=3.23±0.804) and “sense of talent” (M=3.16±0.789) as the most significant factors motivating their entry into the academy system. Factors such as the accessibility of soccer (M=2.03±1.078), its relative rarity among girls (M=2.01±1.089), and media influence (M=1.89±1.003) were considered less important. Moreover, parents placed significantly greater emphasis on expectations related to a sense of talent, a healthy lifestyle, and the hope of popularity compared to players (p<0.05), whereas players more strongly valued role modeling in soccer (p<0.05). Regarding recruitment, 38% of players were automatically recruited from collaborating clubs, 31% were self-recruited, and a scout or coach selected 31%. Both players and parents expressed high expectations for high-level development opportunities provided by the academy (M=3.51±0.770). Additionally, coaches identified the professional support team (M=3.43±0.728) as their primary motivation for working within the academy system. The preparedness of coaches (M=3.63±0.740) and the effectiveness of the professional support team (M=3.57±0.784) were highlighted as key contributors to the academies’ high level of functioning. Notably, 20.5% of respondents underscored the need for ensuring equal treatment and conditions between men and women in academies. The academies’ educational programs not only aim to develop successful soccer players but also prepare athletes for civil professions and promote further education. In addition to a dual career focus, these programs emphasize team spirit, mutual respect, and cooperation. The findings suggest that while the academies are considered important in all-around development by all parties, they also reveal important areas for future development. Reference Williams, A. M., Ford, P. R., & Drust, B. (2020). Talent identification and development in soccer since the millennium. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(11–12), 1199–1
Read CV József BognárECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH16
Introduction Communication between coaches and female athletes is essential when addressing six key topics: puberty, menstruation, injuries, body composition, coach-athlete relationships, and within-group communication. However, some coaches may experience challenges in communicating these topics due to limited knowledge or confidence. Effective communication on these issues can strengthen coach-athlete relationships, foster trust, and contribute to athlete well-being. This study examines (1) how female athletes and coaches perceive the importance of feeling safe communicating about these topics, (2) how coaches evaluate their own comfort and ability to address these topics, and (3) how coaches perceive their athletes’ comfort in communicating personal thoughts. Methods Two digital surveys were conducted: one with 779 coaches of female athletes (306 female coaches, mean age = 44 years, SD = 11.5years) and one with 1,323 female athletes aged 16 to 24 years (mean age = 19 years, SD = 2 years) in Norway and Sweden. Coaches rated the importance of feeling safe communicating about these six topics (rated from 1 = unimportant to 7 = very important). Athletes answered three questions: (1) how important they thought these conversations are, (2) how comfortable they felt engaging in the conversations, and (3) how comfortable they believed their athletes felt when communicating with them about the six topics. Latent profile analyses were conducted using Mplus. Results Athletes rated communication on all six topics as highly important (M = 5.87-6.27, SD = .82-1.23). Coaches recognized this (M = 5.86-6.21, SD = 0.86-1.13) but reported lower comfort levels in communicating about these topics (M = 4.76-5.96, SD = 1.10-1.75). Individual sport coaches felt generally more comfortable than team sport coaches. The largest gaps were found in menstruation and body composition, where coaches felt significantly less comfortable. Coaches also rated their athletes’ comfort in sharing as lower than their own, with female coaches perceiving their athletes as less comfortable than male coaches. Discussion Findings revealed a gap between the perceived importance of communication and coaches’ comfort in addressing these topics. While athletes highly value these conversations, coaches—especially in team sports—often feel unprepared. Coaches also perceived their athletes as less comfortable sharing than they are in engaging, suggesting a misalignment in communication expectations. These findings highlight the need for fostering environments where athletes feel safer expressing personal concerns and where coaches are better prepared to respond effectively.
Read CV Ådne AuslandECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH16