Project The X-factor of a coach

Coaching is a dynamic process. The policy around coaching in the Netherlands clarifies this dynamic progress. The position of the coach and the structure of the education of a coach changed the last couple of years. The Netherlands is working nowadays with a European model which describes several levels of coaching and the competences a coach need at that level.

A very important part of coaching is the relationship between an athlete and the coach. Main question is how a coach should behave towards an athlete. There are several theories about this subject which are also used in the highest national education in the Netherlands: TopCoach5.

But to extend this relationship and to obtain a new point of view, it is necessary to look further in other countries. Is there a different approach on the relationship between an athlete and the coach in other countries? Sweden is famous for their coaches which are working abroad. But is the Swedish approach on the relationship different then the Dutch approach?

We examined the Swedish approach in cooperation with NOC*NSF. We cooperated with the Swedish university of sport and coaching (GIH), the Swedish sport development center and elite sport accommodation Bosõn, the Swedish Olympic Committee and the Swedish sport federation to make this examination possible.

Together with these parties, we examined the Swedish approach on the relationship between an athlete and a coach. First step was a literature search about the relationship. These theories are tested on the daily practices in Sweden, by having several interviews with coaches and athletes in Sweden.

This research gave us several learning points. The context of sport is important to translate these points to the Dutch situation and TopCoach5. After we examined the Swedish and Dutch sport context, it was possible to make the final recommendations.

With this report, NOC*NSF obtained a new point of view about the relationship between an athlete and a coach for the education of TopCoach5. These learning points are used in the educational program of TopCoach5.

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