Understanding the mother-coach, child-athlete and teammate triad in youth sport

Abstract

Parent-coaches are a prevalent part of youth sports, as 90% of coaches involved in youth sports are parent volunteers (Brown, 1998). Much of the research surrounding parent-coaches has focused on fathers and their involvement in both their sons' and daughters' sporting experiences (Eliasson, 2015; Eliasson, 2017; Schmid et al., 2015; Weiss & Fretwell 2005). The purpose of the thesis was to qualitatively explore the mother-coach, child-athlete and teammate triad experience in youth competitive sport. A semi-structured interview process was utilized to further understand the lived experiences of mother-coaches in youth sports, as well as the experiences of their daughters and teammates. Six triads made up of mother-coaches, daughters, and teammates participated in the study. Thematic analysis was used to understand the perspectives of each of the sub-groups. Results demonstrated that mother-coaches felt they applied additional pressure to their own children and spoke to the importance of female representation and mentorship in sports. Child-athletes and teammates revealed that many of their experiences with playing for a mother-coach were positive and created closer bonds within the team. Utilizing the three unique perspectives provided a more well-rounded view of mother-coaches lived experiences in sport. Both practical and theoretical implications and recommendations are provided for current and future mother-coaches.