Ongoing research from Sports Coach UK shows that coaching has a positive impact on those participating in sporting activities and it increases their commitment, enjoyment and time spent playing.
The latest results in this ongoing study come from the second year of a four-year research project by the Sports Coach UK team. This survey aims to examine the impact coaching has on participants and looks at both adults and children. It is clear that coaches have a huge impact on children but it’s also interesting to note how much of an influence they have on adults both in the competitive and casual sporting sectors.
Increased Enjoyment
The survey found that coaching increased a participant’s enjoyment in a sport by up to 74 per cent for adults and up to 66 per cent for children. It spurred on commitment by 71 per cent and 65 per cent in adults and children respectively. Having a coach also saw adults increase their sporting time by 56 per cent, while the increase for children was 66 per cent.
Further research showed that participants who were coached in their preferred sport had a stronger affinity for the game than those who were not coached.
Coaching Advantages
Having a coach that can guide a team is also incredibly important. Even having someone running soccer drills or implementing the exercises illustrated in a soccer drill video by Sportplan will boost enthusiasm and build a more cohesive team.
Coaches inspire players to perform and push them to give their all, helping them to boost their performance and improve their skills. They are also integral in helping foster healthy competition and can spur on players of all ages to always give their best.
A Knock-On Effect
The Participant Survey report goes a long way to show just how important coaching can be and the impact it has on players of all ages. Sports Coach UK is thrilled by the results as they are committed to developing an appropriate workforce that will lead to a greater participation experience, and their survey is highlighting the need for coaches at all levels.
Sports Coach UK have said that reports also clearly show there is more work to be done. In particular, they’ve recognised a need to reconsider how coaching meets the needs of modern young people.
