The European Para Sport Coaching Workforce: A Quasi-Professional Space

Abstract

Coaches in Paralympic and disability sport (Para coaching) play a significant societal role by providing opportunities for disabled people in sport and physical activity. Such is its importance; this role is now recognised by the European Union (EU) and its professionalisation agenda. Therefore, drawing on Abbott’s (1988) theory of professions and Thomas’s (1999) social relational model of disability this original transnational study considers critically the characteristics of the European Para coaching workforce. Data collection followed a mixed methodology via an online survey of Para coaches (N=275). Combining quantitative and qualitative data, the analysis generated three higher order themes, ‘Exclusion, differentiated labour force and working contexts’, ‘Uneven coach education and development opportunities’ and ‘Impairment effect as a source of coaches professional knowledge’. These themes illuminate Para coaching as a quasi-professional space shaped by specific workforce characteristics and those mediated by sporting domains. The findings and recommendations prompt significant considerations for policy makers, coach educators and sport organisations