The key themes of issues and challenges in developing the quality framework for football coaching education in Malaysia

Abstract

Sports coaching education and development has consistently been a topic of discussion on a global scale. Coaching education is considered to be essential for both sustaining and improving the quality of sports coaching. The development of a quality framework for sports education will serve as a guide to ensure consistency, relevance, and effectiveness in coaching and enable coaches to optimise athlete development and performance. This study aims to discuss the issues and challenges of developing the Malaysia Football Coaching Education Quality Framework. This study uses the qualitative method of Evolved Grounded Theory (EGT). The data from five football coaches (n=5) nationwide from the National Sports School, State Sports School, District Training Centre and Tunas Academy representing the executing group and five football stakeholders (n=5) representing the management group were collected from semii-structured in-depth interviews, observations and writing documents to determine the main issues and challenges. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Atlas.ti software through open coding, axial coding and selective coding processes. The following three themes emerged in the context of issues and challenges in developing the Malaysia Football Coaching Education Quality Framework: 1) Accredited Coaching Course/Coaching Certification, 2) Opportunity to Attend Coaching Course, and 3) Coaching Syllabus. Therefore, the findings will help national football stakeholders develop the Malaysia Football Coaching Education Quality Framework. Through this framework, stakeholders and governing bodies can cooperate to upgrade the existing program and improve the quality of football coaching education in Malaysia. In fact, quality football coaches can help to produce quality footballers in Malaysia. In addition, the Malaysia Football Coaching Education Quality Framework can become a guideline for football coaches in Malaysia