Professionalisation in Sports Coaching

Issues and Conceptualisation, Taylor, B & Garratt, D, 2008, February

This report explores notions of ‘profession', ‘professionalism', ‘professional practice' and ‘professionalisation', to establish the case for, and conditions necessary to achieve, the professionalisation of coaching in the UK.

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About the report

This reports attempts to critically review all relevant literature informing definitions and conceptualisations of 'profession', 'professional practice' and 'professionalisation'. It also identifies the 'traits/characteristics' of professionalisation in relation to coaching in a UK context and assesses the 'current state of play' in, including identification of key enablers and barriers, and propose a way forward for establishing a 'coaching profession'.

Based on an extensive literature review key findings emerged including:

• Although defining a profession by its traits and characteristics has a number of disadvantages, most professional occupations have:

• professional education
• a distinct and specialised body of knowledge
• career structures and pathways
• explicit ethical and value systems
• an independent professional membership body
• professional practice
• clarity and definition with regard to their role and remit.

• The development of the United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) has gone some way to establishing a base for these aspects to develop.

More information

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