Challenges Faced By Sport Coaches in South Africa

Abstract

Research has shown that there is a high turnover of sport coaches in South Africa, yet there has been relatively little attention paid to the challenges faced by sport coaches. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the challenges experienced by sport coaches in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. A qualitative approach using focus group interviews was adopted for this study. Two focus group interviews, consisting of five participants each were conducted by the principal researcher with participants who met the inclusion criteria. Only participants who had coached for at least five years were purposively selected to participate in the study. Arising from the thematic analysis of the focus group interviews, the following themes emerged: interference from management, pressure to win, lack of resources and parental pressure. The results of this study provide practical applications for sport organisations to overcome the challenges encountered by sport coaches and also provide strategies to retain and develop sport coaches in South Africa.

Keywords: Challenges, Sport Coaches, Coaching Profession