Drivers for change: reflective practice to enhance creativity in sports coaches

ABSTRACT

Reflective practice has become a standard component of coach development programmes, almost taken for granted. This research examines the links between long-term reflective learning and the application to, and the ongoing effect on, coaching practice. Twelve elite sport coaches, from a range of sports, previously took part in a reflective intervention. Nine months after the intervention these coaches participated in semi-structured interviews, specifically, we were interested in what, if any, drivers for change had arisen from critical reflection. Data from the interviews revealed three key themes: extended role of the coach; evolution of decision-making; and creativity and innovation. Reflective practice must be a tool for coach development but to be an effective tool it must be utilised to its full effect, as it has the potential to drive change and encourage creative thinking and practice within sports coaching.

KEYWORDS:

• Innovation
• applied practice
• expertise
• critical thinking

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Christine Nash

Christine Nash Currently, leads the Applied Coaching Research Group at the University of Edinburgh, researching in coaching expertise and has over 100 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference presentations. She has worked within a number of Higher Education institutions worldwide, as well as a coach within the sport of swimming.

Dave Collins

Dave Collins As an academic, Dave has over 450 peer review publications and 90 books/chapters. As a practitioner, he has worked with over 90 World or Olympic medallists plus professional teams and performers. Dave has coached to national level in three sports, is a 5^th Dan Karate, Director of the Rugby Coaches Association, Fellow of the Society of Martial Arts and BASES, Associate Fellow of the BPS and an ex Royal Marine.