Abstract
The purpose of our study was to analyse how coach performance appraisal frequency and criteria vary according to the age group of the athletes and the level of sports competition. To that end we surveyed a sample of 223 coaches of voluntary sports clubs in Madeira, Portugal, using an individual and anonymous questionnaire. Although in general coach performance appraisal was not treated as a systematic and structured process by the sports clubs, we did find significant differences between coaches of young athletes and coaches of adults, and between coaches at the regional level and coaches at the national/international level, with respect to the importance of sports results as a coach evaluation criterion. The study suggests applying structured practices in coach performance appraisal and a different approach to assessment according to the age group and specific context of the competition.
Highlights
Performance appraisal is a systematic process in the management of human resources (Doherty, 1998)
The results suggest that there should be an introduction for structured practices in the coach performance appraisal in sports clubs and a differentiation in the process assessment according to the age group and level of sport competition
The criteria adopted in the assessment should take into account the specific context of the coach’s work
Summary
Performance appraisal is a systematic process in the management of human resources (Doherty, 1998). Coach performance appraisal can be a valuable tool for the management of human resources in sports organizations, but research on this topic is scarce. MacLean (2001) states that it is impossible to manage an organization without reliable information about the details and the real performance of staff. This is the only way to find fair and substantiated answers that can lead to the modification and the improvement in work processes. The competition becomes a means to advance in the rankings (Koehn, 2012). Mallet and Côté (2006) recall that there are factors that do not depend on the coach performance, but can influence the athletes’ performance, and highlight the following: the athletes’ effort, punctuality and attendance, his/her diet, phase of puberty and stage of physical development, and sports injuries
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