Coaches’ and Recreational Leaders’ Opinions on the Feasibility and Helpfulness of Online Coaching Resources

Abstract

Within youth sport, there is a clear need for improved coaching education and coaching resources. Most youth sport coaches recreational leaders are generally recruited from the community based on their availability and volunteerism (McCallister, Blinde, & Kolenbrander, 2000). While these individuals often have the best interests of participants in mind, it is difficult to ask/require a volunteer to pursue specific sport training, when they are often already pressed for time. However, with the continued growth of online resources, and the convenience the internet affords, it may be a viable option to offer online coaching resources to assist volunteer coaches and recreational leaders. Therefore, the purpose of this poster presentation is to discuss and explore volunteer youth sport coaches’ and recreational leaders’ opinions of website resources. One hundred and sixteen volunteer coaches and recreational leaders completed an 11 item survey assessing their opinions on website resources. Coaches were from a large Southwestern city and represented multiple sports including football, soccer, volleyball, cheerleading, and basketball. Results indicated that overall, participants held positive opinions regarding websites as a resource and a means for providing needed and novel information to coaches. However, they only marginally agreed that a website was the most effective method of teaching coaches and recreation leaders. Participants suggested a preference for learning material through seminars and workshops. Future research should continue to address the feasibility and limitations of online resources for coaches. As well, as technology continues to evolve, researchers should begin to address the helpfulness of social media and smartphone apps as instructional aids and resources for coaches.