Sport Federation Officials’ Practices and National Team Coaches’ Stress

in International Sport Coaching Journal

Click name to view affiliation

Stiliani Ani ChroniInland Norway University of Applied Sciences

Search for other papers by Stiliani Ani Chroni in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
,
Frank AbrahamsenNorwegian School of Sports Sciences

Search for other papers by Frank Abrahamsen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
,
Eivind SkilleInland Norway University of Applied Sciences

Search for other papers by Eivind Skille in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
, and
Liv HemmestadThe University College of Southeast Norway
Norwegian Olympic Training Center

Search for other papers by Liv Hemmestad in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
Restricted access

While there is growth in research recognizing the coach as a performer, little is known about the practices of federation officials who are ‘responsible for’ and have the potential to influence coaches’ experiences. This study explores practices enacted by Norwegian federation officials within their role of working closely with the national team coach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven sports directors employed by some of Norway’s medal-winning individual sports federations. Thematic analysis furnished three theme-practices: (a) sincerely caring for the employees, (b) fostering a development focus, and (c) recruiting coaches with the organizational culture in mind. We viewed these practices as ways of enacting the federation culture and the sports directors work with the coaches as being the main support for the coach, acting frequently as a buffer with regard to both administrative and sport issues. Considering recent findings on how Norwegian national team coaches evaluate their stress experiences, the identified practices appear to be ones that can have some bearing on the coaches’ stress evaluation mechanisms and outcome expectancies. Practical implications are outlined as well as suggestions for future research extending these findings across different cultures (sports and nations).

Chroni and Skille are with the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway. Abrahamsen is with the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Oslo, Norway. Hemmestad is with the Norwegian Olympic Training Center, Oslo, Norway; and the University College of Southeast Norway, Bø, Norway.

Address author correspondence to Stiliani Ani Chroni at stiliani.chroni@inn.no.
  • Collapse
  • Expand
  • Abraham, A., & Collins, D. (2011). Taking the next step: Ways forward for coaching science. Quest, 63, 366384. doi:10.1080/00336297.2011.10483687

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Alvesson, M. (2011). Understanding organizational culture. London, UK: Sage Publications Ltd.

  • Arnulf, J.K., Mathisen, J.E., & Hærem, T. (2012). Heroic leadership illusions in football teams: Rationality, decision making and noise-signal ratio in the firing of football managers. Leadership, 8(2), 169185. doi:10.1177/1742715011420315

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bentzen, M., Lemyre, P.-N., & Kenttä, G. (2016). Changes in motivation and burnout indices in high-performance coaches over the course of a competitive season. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28(1), 2848. doi:10.1080/10413200.2015.1053160

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bertram, R., Culver, D., & Gilbert, W. (2016). Creating value in a sport coach community of practice: A collaborative inquiry. International Sport Coaching Journal, 3, 216. doi:10.1123/iscj.2014-0122

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2013). Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners. London, UK: Sage.

  • Chroni, S.A., Abrahamsen, F., & Hemmestad, L. (2016). To be the eye within the storm, I am challenged not stressed. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28, 257273. doi:10.1080/10413200.2015.1113449

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013). Teaching thematic analysis: Over-coming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning. The Psychologist, 26(2), 120123.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Coulter, T.J., Mallett, C.J., Singer, J.A., & Gucciardi, D.F. (2015). Personality in sport and exercise psychology: Integrating a whole person perspective. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 14, 2341. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2015.1016085

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Culver, D.M., & Trudel, P. (2008). Clarifying the concept of communities of practice in sport. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 3, 110. doi:10.1260/174795408784089441

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Culver, D.M., Trudel, P., & Werthner, P. (2009). A sport leader’s attempt to foster a coaches’ community of practice. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 4, 365383. doi:10.1260/174795409789623900

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cushion, C., & Jones, R.L. (2006). Power, discourse, and symbolic violence in professional youth soccer: The case of Albion football club. Sociology of Sport Journal, 23(2), 142161. doi:10.1123/ssj.23.2.142

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Didymus, F. (2015). Stressors, appraisals, and coping in Olympic and international level sport coaches. In S. Chroni (Chair), “Coaches are people too” and they also get caught in the eye of the storm. Symposium conducted at the 2015 FEPSAC Congress, Bern, Switzerland.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Didymus, F.F. (2017). Olympic and international level sports coaches’ experiences of stressors, appraisals, and coping. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 9(2), 214232. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2016.1261364

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Downie, R.S. (1990). Professions and professionalism. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 24(2), 147159.

  • Fletcher, D., Hanton, S., & Mellalieu, S.D. (2006). An organisational stress review: Conceptual and theoretical issues in competitive sport. In S. Hanton & S.D. Mellalieu (Eds.), Literature reviews in sport psychology (pp. 321374). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Fletcher, D., & Scott, M. (2010). Psychological stress in sports coaches: A review of concepts, research, and practice. Journal of Sport Sciences, 28(2), 127137. doi:10.1080/02640410903406208

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Frey, M. (2007). College coaches’ experiences with stress–’problem solvers’ have problems, too. The Sport Psychologist, 21(1), 3857. doi:10.1123/tsp.21.1.38

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Garnder, P., & Hill, D.M. (2017). Cultivating a community of practice to enable coach development in alpine ski coaches. International Sport Coaching Journal, 4, 6375. doi:10.1123/iscj.2016-0076

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gilbert, W.D., & Trudel, P. (2012). The role of deliberate practice in becoming an expert coach: Part 1– Defining coaching expertise. Olympic Coach, 23, 1927.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hansen, P.Ø., & Andersen, S.S. (2014). Coaching elite athletes: How coaches stimulate elite athletes’ reflection. Sports Coaching Review, 3, 1732. doi:10.1080/21640629.2014.901712

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hemmestad, L. (2013). Balansekunst: Ledelse, læring og makt i håndballandslaget kvinner senior [The art of balance: Leadership, learning and power in senior women’s handball]. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Oslo, Norway.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hemmestad, L., Jones, R.L., & Standal, Ø.F. (2010). Phronetic social science: A means of better researching and analysing coaching? Sport, Education and Society, 15, 447459. doi:10.1080/13573322.2010.514745

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hill, B., & Sotiriadou, P. (2016). Coach decision-making and the relative age effect on talent selection in football. European Sport Management Quarterly, 16(3), 292315. doi:10.1080/16184742.2015.1131730

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Holmemo, J., & Abrahamsen, F.E. (2018). Profesjonelle fotballtreneres interaksjon med sine overordnede og assistenter: Bruk av orkestrering og mikropolitisk leseferdighet [Professional soccer coaches interaction with superiors and assistants: Use of orchestration and micropolitical literacy]. In T. Haugen & R. Høigaard (Eds.), Trender i idrettspsykologisk forskning i Skandinavia [Trends in sport psychology research in Scandinavia] (pp. 73102). Oslo, Norway: Cappelen Damm Akademisk.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Knight, C.J., Reade, I.L., Selzler, A.M., & Rodgers, W.M. (2013). Personal and situational factors influencing coaches’ perceptions of stress. Journal of Sports Sciences, 31, 10541063. PubMed ID: 23402372 doi:10.1080/02640414.2012.759659

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lazarus, R.S. (1999). Stress and emotion: A new synthesis. New York, NY: Springer.

  • Lazarus, R.S., & Folkman, S. (1987). Transactional theory and research on emotions and coping. European Journal of Personality, 1(3), 141169. doi:10.1002/per.2410010304

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Levy, A., Nicholls, A., Marchant, D., & Polman, R. (2009). Organisational stressors, coping, and coping effectiveness: A longitudinal study with an elite coach. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 4(1), 3145. doi:10.1260/1747-9541.4.1.31

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lincoln, Y.S., & Guba, E.G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

  • McQuade, S., & Nash, C. (2015). The role of coach developer in supporting and guiding coach learning. International Sport Coaching Journal, 2, 339346. doi:10.1123/iscj.2015-0059

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Nash, C.S., & Sproule, J. (2009). Career development of expert coaches. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 4(1), 121138. doi:10.1260/1747-9541.4.1.121

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Olusoga, P., Maynard, I., Hays, K., & Butt, J. (2012). Coaching under pressure: A study of Olympic coaches. Journal of Sport Sciences, 30(3), 229239. doi:10.1080/02640414.2011.639384

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ottesen, L., Skirstad, B., Pfister, G., & Habermann, U. (2010). Gender relations in Scandinavian sport organizations: A comparison of the situation and the policies in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Sport in Society, 13, 657675. doi:10.1080/17430431003616423

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Pensgaard, A.M. (2008). Consulting under pressure: How to help an athlete deal with unexpected distracters during Olympic Games 2006. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 6(3), 301307. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2008.9671874

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Potrac, P., & Jones, R. (2009). Power, conflict, and cooperation: Toward a micropolitics of coaching. Quest, 61, 223236. doi:10.1080/00336297.2009.10483612

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ray, J.L., Baker, L.T., & Plowman, D.A. (2011). Organizational mindfulness in business schools. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 10(2), 188203.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rees, T. (2007). Influences of social support on athletes. In S. Jowett & D. Lavallee (Eds.), Social psychology in sport (pp. 223231). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Reme, S.E., Eriksen, H.R., & Ursin, H. (2008). Cognitive activation theory of stress--How are individual experiences mediated into biological systems? Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 34(6), 177183.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ryan, R.M., & Deci, E.L. (2000). Self-Determination Theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 6878. PubMed ID: 11392867 doi:10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Schinke, R.J., McGannon, K.R., Battochio, R.C., & Wells, G.D. (2013). Acculturation in elite sport: A thematic analysis of immigrant athletes and coaches. Journal of Sports Sciences, 31, 16761686. PubMed ID: 23688005 doi:10.1080/02640414.2013.794949

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Scott, W.R. (2003). Organizations: Rational, natural, and open systems. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

  • Skille, E.Å, & Chroni, S. (2018). Norwegian sports federations’ organizational culture and national team success. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 10(2), 321333. doi:10.1080/19406940.2018.1425733

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Slack, T., & Parent, M. (2006). Understanding sport organizations (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

  • Smith, B., & McGannon, K.R. (2018). Developing rigor in qualitative research: Problems and opportunities within sport and exercise psychology. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 11(1), 101121. doi:10.1080/1750984X.2017.1317357

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Squires, A. (2009). Methodological challenges in cross-language qualitative research: A research review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 46(2), 277287. PubMed ID: 18789799 doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2008.08.006

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ursin, H., & Eriksen, H.R. (2004). The cognitive activation theory of stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 29, 567592. PubMed ID: 15041082 doi:10.1016/S0306-4530(03)00091-X

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ursin, H., & Eriksen, H.R. (2010). Review: Cognitive activation theory of stress (CATS). Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 34, 877881. PubMed ID: 20359586 doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.03.001

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Weick, K.E. (1995). Sensemaking in organizations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 2654 1499 109
Full Text Views 59 15 1
PDF Downloads 46 16 2