- Attempting to create an inquiry-focused participatory coaching culture where members believe that their contributions matter and feel a sense of connection with one another.edit
This report provides an overview of a recent experience that helps demonstrate how the people involved with the AIS Coach Summit Program are not isolated entities focused only on localised practices and solutions, but critical elements of... more
This report provides an overview of a recent experience that helps demonstrate how the people involved with the AIS Coach Summit Program are not isolated entities focused only on localised practices and solutions, but critical elements of a broader interrelated sociocultural system that are dependent on each other for the scalability of learning across an entire landscape of practice.
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This document summarises how Pierre Bourdieu's key concepts could be used within a coach development context to understand how the different systems of education, methods of classification and activities of everyday life contribute to... more
This document summarises how Pierre Bourdieu's key concepts could be used within a coach development context to understand how the different systems of education, methods of classification and activities of everyday life contribute to coaching practices, beliefs and actions.
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This report provides a summary of my two-year involvement with the AIS Summit program. It utilises “insider data” generated from that period in an attempt to provide a basis for successful cultivation of similar programs elsewhere through... more
This report provides a summary of my two-year involvement with the AIS Summit program. It utilises “insider data” generated from that period in an attempt to provide a basis for successful cultivation of similar programs elsewhere through use of a multifaceted, non-theory censored strict approach to research that enables the construction of objects and the transfer of knowledge gleaned in one area of inquiry into another.
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Coaches play a highly influential role across the entire sport participation spectrum. Their proficiency, knowledgeability and competency is crucial to the progression, welfare and even the personal development of the athletes under their... more
Coaches play a highly influential role across the entire sport participation spectrum. Their proficiency, knowledgeability and competency is crucial to the progression, welfare and even the personal development of the athletes under their charge. Maximising the development of that proficiency is therefore a crucial concern for numerous sporting and community organisations. Effort must be directed toward the continuous improvement of learning and development programs for coaches, with consideration given to the differing requirements of coaches operating in different contexts.
Most coach education initiatives have entailed formal instruction in classroom settings, but feedback from participants suggests that this approach is sub-optimal. Better outcomes might be achieved through methods designed to promote more impactful learning and development opportunities within the confines of a Community of Practice (CoP). Whilst available research evidence provides a strong rationale for use of such an approach, several scholars have pointed out that this is not a simple matter, since the cultivation of dynamic CoPs in a coach development context requires a thorough understanding of the concept and a willingness of key personnel from multiple organisations to work together. This short paper aims to assist with these tasks by challenging existing beliefs and assumptions and connecting new ideas to prior understandings.
Most coach education initiatives have entailed formal instruction in classroom settings, but feedback from participants suggests that this approach is sub-optimal. Better outcomes might be achieved through methods designed to promote more impactful learning and development opportunities within the confines of a Community of Practice (CoP). Whilst available research evidence provides a strong rationale for use of such an approach, several scholars have pointed out that this is not a simple matter, since the cultivation of dynamic CoPs in a coach development context requires a thorough understanding of the concept and a willingness of key personnel from multiple organisations to work together. This short paper aims to assist with these tasks by challenging existing beliefs and assumptions and connecting new ideas to prior understandings.
Research Interests:
Evaluation underpins the work of the AIS Coach Development Team and entails the collection and analyse of information about a program’s activities, characteristics, and outcomes. In the present context, a highly systematic approach was... more
Evaluation underpins the work of the AIS Coach Development Team and entails the collection and analyse of information about a program’s activities, characteristics, and outcomes. In the present context, a highly systematic approach was employed to examine the implementation process, highlight accomplishments, offer recommendations for improvement, and inform strategic decisions.
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Previous research identified several factors that have motivated sustained athlete participation in a modified, low-risk form of boxing. The importance of the ‘coach-athlete relationship’ was highlighted. The present study used... more
Previous research identified several factors that have motivated sustained athlete participation in a modified, low-risk form of boxing. The importance of the ‘coach-athlete relationship’ was highlighted. The present study used Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology to identify the particular coaching practices that have influenced this relationship and contributed to their continued engagement with the program. The findings suggest that providing a holistic approach to athlete development, treating the participants as serious athletes, using modified games to promote skill acquisition and having a focus on athlete improvement rather than competition have been the most influential practices.
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This short paper provides a brief overview of a collaborative, strengths-based approach to change that encourages the formation and realisation of shared endeavours by getting people to remember, consider and analyse circumstances when... more
This short paper provides a brief overview of a collaborative, strengths-based approach to change that encourages the formation and realisation of shared endeavours by getting people to remember, consider and analyse circumstances when they were at their best rather than focusing on problems.
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The resource aims to provide a basis for future discussions and/or personal exploration around the importance of authentic leadership and how it could impact work engagement, organisational citizenship and task performance in sport.
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The aim of this resource is to highlight the complex and serendipitous nature of learning and the various ways it occurs. It is hoped that the information will support the achievement of long-term, context-specific outcomes (sport... more
The aim of this resource is to highlight the complex and serendipitous nature of learning and the various ways it occurs. It is hoped that the information will support the achievement of long-term, context-specific outcomes (sport coaching) for people who operate in a particular domain of practice (coach development) by connecting new ideas to prior understandings.
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The AIS Mentoring Guide has been prepared to assist the cultivation of highly effective and mutually beneficial mentorships in which individuals work together to support the personal growth and professional development of relational... more
The AIS Mentoring Guide has been prepared to assist the cultivation of highly effective and mutually beneficial mentorships in which individuals work together to support the personal growth and professional development of relational partners. It covers a range of topics and focuses on the behaviours that can increase the effectiveness of mentorships regardless of whether they are created formally or informally. The information, however, is not prescriptive and can be tailored to meet the needs of each relationship.
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Common barriers to sport participation are known to include cost, competing demands on time, preference for other leisure activities, lack of access to appropriate facilities, inflexibility of training and competition times, dislike of... more
Common barriers to sport participation are known to include cost, competing demands on time, preference for other leisure activities, lack of access to appropriate facilities, inflexibility of training and competition times, dislike of competition, self-consciousness resulting from perceived lack of sport skills and/or physical fitness, and perceptions that sport clubs are exclusive, political and focused primarily on serving the interests of their most gifted athletes.
The Northern Territory Government’s Sport and Active Recreation is attempting to address these barriers through implementation of a new initiative that specifically targets young people from communities outside of the generally well-resourced Darwin area.
Known as inclusive academies, the aim is to provide greater opportunities for young people (17 yrs and under) to experience the social, physical and psychological benefits of sport, regardless of their gender, cultural background or level of ability. While there is an emphasis on building both general physical literacy and sport-specific skills, it is hoped that (in a somewhat incidental way) participation in these programs will also assist with the development of broader life skills through the use of more humanistic approaches to coaching and long-term program delivery.
Although initial responses to pilot programs have been encouraging, a question still remains as to whether a highly inclusive sport academy focused primarily on improving the health and physical literacy of participants could be developed in a way that would lead to long-term community engagement. This reports aims to help answer that question by providing a detailed summary of a recently staged week-long event and summarising its effectiveness to attract local participants. In an attempt to assist with the creation of a fully-functional and all-inclusive Northern Territory sporting system, ideas and suggestions for the staging of future inclusive academies are also presented and discussed.
The Northern Territory Government’s Sport and Active Recreation is attempting to address these barriers through implementation of a new initiative that specifically targets young people from communities outside of the generally well-resourced Darwin area.
Known as inclusive academies, the aim is to provide greater opportunities for young people (17 yrs and under) to experience the social, physical and psychological benefits of sport, regardless of their gender, cultural background or level of ability. While there is an emphasis on building both general physical literacy and sport-specific skills, it is hoped that (in a somewhat incidental way) participation in these programs will also assist with the development of broader life skills through the use of more humanistic approaches to coaching and long-term program delivery.
Although initial responses to pilot programs have been encouraging, a question still remains as to whether a highly inclusive sport academy focused primarily on improving the health and physical literacy of participants could be developed in a way that would lead to long-term community engagement. This reports aims to help answer that question by providing a detailed summary of a recently staged week-long event and summarising its effectiveness to attract local participants. In an attempt to assist with the creation of a fully-functional and all-inclusive Northern Territory sporting system, ideas and suggestions for the staging of future inclusive academies are also presented and discussed.
Research Interests:
This resource has been prepared to assist with the monitoring and evaluation of multi-level sport programs and provides a variety of information intended to support the learning of new knowledge and skills. The information, however, is... more
This resource has been prepared to assist with the monitoring and evaluation of multi-level sport programs and provides a variety of information intended to support the learning of new knowledge and skills. The information, however, is quite flexible and is designed to assist coaches, pathway managers and administrators with the construction of procedures appropriate to specific situations rather than being prescriptive.
It has eight sections:
Section 1: Provides a brief summary of the document and outlines key information intended to assist with its use.
Section 2: Introduces readers to the concept of practitioner research, summarises the different approaches to investigation, and provides a brief overview of the ethical considerations associated with this type of work.
Section 3: Contains suggestions aimed at supporting the development of highly effective and efficient evaluation and monitoring procedures.
Section 4: Presents information intended to aid the collection and generation of quantitative and qualitative data and outlines ways in which subsequent information gathering activities can be conducted.
Section 5: Focuses on presenting and incorporating statistical and unstructured text-based data into reports and presentations and provides a number of suggestions and examples of how this can be done.
Section 7: Highlights factors that can assist with the design and development of clear, concise and well-structured reports and demonstrates how information can be presented in a clear, concise and logical way.
Section 8: Summarises the key points involved with the collection, gathering and subsequent presentation of sport participation data and highlights the importance of these of tasks.
It has eight sections:
Section 1: Provides a brief summary of the document and outlines key information intended to assist with its use.
Section 2: Introduces readers to the concept of practitioner research, summarises the different approaches to investigation, and provides a brief overview of the ethical considerations associated with this type of work.
Section 3: Contains suggestions aimed at supporting the development of highly effective and efficient evaluation and monitoring procedures.
Section 4: Presents information intended to aid the collection and generation of quantitative and qualitative data and outlines ways in which subsequent information gathering activities can be conducted.
Section 5: Focuses on presenting and incorporating statistical and unstructured text-based data into reports and presentations and provides a number of suggestions and examples of how this can be done.
Section 7: Highlights factors that can assist with the design and development of clear, concise and well-structured reports and demonstrates how information can be presented in a clear, concise and logical way.
Section 8: Summarises the key points involved with the collection, gathering and subsequent presentation of sport participation data and highlights the importance of these of tasks.
Research Interests:
The exponential growth of knowledge in recent times makes it clear that 21st century HP coaches need to constantly acquire and apply new skills throughout their careers to keep pace with this tsunami of information. This could, for... more
The exponential growth of knowledge in recent times makes it clear that 21st century HP coaches need to constantly acquire and apply new skills throughout their careers to keep pace with this tsunami of information. This could, for example, involve new ways of thinking and being and/or embracing alternative approaches for the gathering, processing and evaluation of data. This short paper aims to help with these tasks by providing a basis for future discussions.
Research Interests:
This resource has been prepared to support the development of reflective thinking and practice, and provides a variety of information intended to aid the learning of new knowledge and behaviours and/or enhance existing ones. The... more
This resource has been prepared to support the development of reflective thinking and practice, and provides a variety of information intended to aid the learning of new knowledge and behaviours and/or enhance existing ones. The information, however, is quite flexible and is designed to assist with the construction of practices appropriate to the needs of individuals rather than being prescriptive.
Research Interests:
The AIS HP Coach Summit Program is designed to meet the specific needs of coaches who are working at the highest level of the Australian Sport System and is aimed at enhancing their ability to consider different perspectives and ways of... more
The AIS HP Coach Summit Program is designed to meet the specific needs of coaches who are working at the highest level of the Australian Sport System and is aimed at enhancing their ability to consider different perspectives and ways of thinking through engagement in meaningful discussions and the examination of real-world experiences.