Understanding Grassroots Football Coach Education in England through Creative Fiction: Connecting the Past to the Present

By Thomas M. Leeder, Noel Dempsey, Reece Chapman

Abstract

In England, circa 30,000 learners per annum participate in grassroots coach education that is organised by The English Football Association (The FA), with the intention of enhancing their coaching knowledge and practice. Globally, The FA is recognised as one of the largest providers of football coach education, often praised for their innovative approaches and collaborative coaching research programme. However, football coach education programmes are temporal in nature and are (re)constructed over time. Consequently, the aim of this chapter is to utilise a novel creative fiction method to demonstrate how the evolution and progression of football coach education in England has impacted upon the learning and development of Brian, a fictitious coach. This chapter contains three vignettes that highlight Brian’s involvement with FA coach education over a 20-year period, which are explored and analysed in relation to contemporary literature on football coach education and development. To support the reader in critically reviewing the vignettes, a short analysis follows which explores some of the pertinent messages while posing questions to encourage critical reflection. It is hoped this chapter provides an innovative way to understand and reflect upon the nuances and complexities of football coach education.