Exploring Coach Development for Para Sport: A View from Across the Landscape

The development of coaches for Para sport is a complex and multidimensional challenge, marked by restricted development opportunities. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the key issues in the provision of coach development opportunities within the Canadian Para sport landscape through the lens of the social relational model. In achieving this purpose, the thesis focused on the description of the application of Design Thinking to collaboratively develop innovative, viable, and feasible solutions for improving CDOs. The thesis also provided deep insights into the needs and challenges of the coaches from the perspectives of the stakeholders, using a novel qualitative analysis method - the 5-step SAMMSA. The thesis comprises three interconnected studies examining coach development in Para sport. The first article demonstrates the application of Design Thinking to address the gap in formal coach education opportunities. Through a two-day design challenge event based on the Hasso-Plattner Institute Model (HPI), stakeholders, including managers, coaches, coach developers, and athletes, collaborated to reimagine coach education. The human-centered, iterative problem-solving approach of Design Thinking enabled participants to overcome individual biases and develop innovative solutions. This article highlighted practical strategies for implementing Design Thinking in coach education to enhance the Para sport experience. The second article examined the key factors influencing coach development opportunities (CDOs) in Para sport within Canada from the perspective of the social relational model. Utilizing a case study methodology, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten participants, including managers, former athletes, coaches, and coach developers. The 5-step SAMMSA method was used for data analysis. The findings emphasized the importance of transforming coaching perspectives to be more disability-conscious and addressing ongoing accessibility challenges in Para sport. The second article revealed several key themes: transforming perspectives in coaching for Para sport, understanding the nuances of coaching for Para sport, addressing accessibility challenges, providing psychological support in Para sport, and empowering coaches with disabilities. Our participants highlighted the critical roles of empathy and individualized coaching approaches in enhancing CDOs. The findings underscored the need for accessible CDOs that incorporate individuals with disabilities and promote continuous professional development. The article also pointed out the necessity of structural and systemic changes to create a more inclusive coaching environment. By empowering coaches with disabilities through tailored support systems and fostering collaboration and systemic improvements, the quality of CDOs can be significantly enhanced. This article provided valuable insights and practical recommendations for improving the landscape of coach development in Para sport in Canada. The third article focused on the application of the 5-step SAMMSA method in qualitative research, particularly in the context of Para sport coaching. SAMMSA offers a structured approach to qualitative analysis, enhancing transparency and rigour. The article detailed the implementation of SAMMSA, illustrating its effectiveness in facilitating iteration and reflexivity in data analysis. By combining deductive and inductive coding, thematic analysis, and part-whole synthesis, the article showcased SAMMSA's role in ensuring quality and accountability in qualitative research. The adaptation strategies of SAMMSA are shared to benefit other researchers, contributing to the overall improvement of qualitative research practices in sport psychology and pedagogy. This thesis provided a comprehensive examination of coach development in Para sport, addressing the multifaceted challenges through innovative methodologies and theoretical frameworks. The thesis also highlighted the importance of empathetic and individualized coaching approaches, the need for structural and systemic changes, and the benefits of a rigorous qualitative analysis framework. The findings contributed to the body of knowledge in Para sport coaching, offering practical strategies for implementing effective CDOs, thereby promoting continuous professional development and fostering a more supportive environment for Para sport coaches and athletes.