“We are on the outside but it’s okay”: A grounded theory of cooperation between parents, coaches, and administrators in professional youth soccer academies

Abstract

ObjectiveParents need to cooperate with professional organizations to support their children’s development and health. In sports, knowledge on how parents, coaches, and organizations can successfully coordinate their behavior and work together for a common cause is lacking. This study was designed to identify a grounded theory of cooperation as a social process between parents and organizational stakeholders in youth soccer academies. Design and methodIntensive interviews were conducted with parents (n = 9), coaches (n = 11), and administrators (n = 14) across 14 youth soccer academies in Germany. Data were analyzed using initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical integration following constructivist grounded theory methodology. Results and conclusionThe grounded theory produced comprises several processes aimed at building, maintaining, and reinforcing effective cooperation between parents, coaches, and administrators. Acknowledging parents as part of the academy, providing a thorough onboarding, and defining parental roles are essential for cooperation to evolve. Cooperation was viewed as a responsive, dynamic, and iterative process impacted by person and context factors. Findings are interpreted through a systems lens highlighting nuanced dependencies between cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns. The grounded theory provides implications for future research targeting the intersection of persons and contexts in youth sport. For practitioners, we propose an evidence-based program on developing cooperation.