Skill acquisition specialists in coach learning systems: Coach developer perspectives on roles and tensions

Coaches often rely solely on experiential knowledge to facilitate skill acquisition. Coach developers may offer unique insights on the role of skill acquisition specialists in supporting coach learning in this area. This study explored high-performance coach developers’ reflections on (1) the value of skill acquisition in coaching and coach development, and (2) the situating of skill acquisition specialists within coach learning systems. Nine coach developers participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis informed by a pragmatic research approach, generating two interconnected themes. First, skill acquisition was viewed as foundational to coaching practice, yet largely tacitly applied, and perceived to be inconsistent within coach learning systems. Second, participants highlighted skill acquisition specialists could offer a beneficial contribution to coach learning, and part of their role could involve working with coach developers. However, this situating also surfaced several tensions. These findings highlight the importance of skill acquisition within coach learning systems, as well as underscoring the need for role clarity, most notably a clear articulation of the skill acquisition specialist's role and how it differs from, and complements, the work of both coaches and coach developers.