Training and development of coaches: What can we learn from reaction surveys?

Abstract

This study examined coaches’ perceived value and utility of participating in training and professional development. Specifically, coaches’ reaction to perceived satisfaction with a presenter, knowledge learned in the session, and the setting where the training took place. Participants were coaches who attended a 3-day Global Coaches House seminar during the course of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Coaches were asked to complete a 17-item reaction survey for each session they attended. The reaction survey assessed the degree of satisfaction with the presenter, session, and setting. A total of 381 surveys were completed by 175 coaches where each coach completed approximately two surveys. Results revealed that coaches were highly satisfied with the session and presenter but less satisfied with the setting. Stepwise regression analysis showed that four items accounted for 75.9% of the variance to predict coaches’ satisfaction with the presenter, including ‘ability to relate to the audience’, ‘knowledge of the subject matter’, ‘ability to keep trainees’ interest’, and ‘delivery and explanation of materials’. Similarly, four items explained 66.2% of the variance to predict coaches’ satisfaction with the session including ‘the session prepared trainees to perform new coaching tasks’, ‘satisfaction with communication of the session objectives’, ‘the relevance of the session to their job’ and ‘the session emphasized the most important information’. Finally, three items accounted for 49.2% of the variance to explain coaches’ satisfaction with the setting, including ‘satisfaction with the audio and visual aids’, ‘satisfaction with supplies and equipment’, and ‘classrooms and furniture’