For the 5th guest discussion on our Learning in Development podcast we invited in Dr. Jennifer Turnnidge from Queens University, Kingston. Ontario.
Jennifer did her doctorate degree in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University under the supervision of Jean Côté. In addition to her doctoral work, she also completed her Undergraduate (2009) and Master’s (2011) degrees at Queen’s. Broadly, her program of research explores how coach-athlete and peer relationships can promote positive development in sport. Specifically, she examines how coaches’ leadership behaviours can influence the quality of youth’s sport experiences. Outside of her role as a researcher and a student, Jennifer loves to spend time with her family and friends.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/42VJefYAUUiwrP1YPxW79J
While the aim of this series of podcasts is not to present the ‘silver bullet’ answers, it is hoped that after listening we will all leave these discussions with better questions (I know that I certainly have).
Insights
How can we use research to improve the sporting experience for people?
We should be embedding collaborations between researchers and practice in national governing bodies, sports organisations or clubs in representative environments (coach education, day to day club activities)
This approach invites a possibility for rich shared experiences and discussions that can further inform the research.
Research can inform practice and practice can inform research – Its bi-directional, reciprocal and dynamic. We need to create opportunities for this.
Can we create environments for children to play for ‘play’s sake’?
We often focus on the long-term outcomes of sport. We also need to focus on the immediate experience, the meaning and value of what is happening to them (the children) now.
Sports development comes back to the day to day experiences
Who are we organising sport for?
How can we improve the immediate experience?
What are the barriers to change?
Do we need to reconceptualise child youth sport as something that is participated in away from organised sport?
How can we encourage a diversity of experiences?
How do we design in opportunities for these experiences?
What do children ‘not’ miss about organised sport?
Are we really paying attention to what matters?
Reccomended reading: The play deficit – Peter Gray (see here)
It’s difficult to change the system if you are only talking to part of the system
We need to deliberately engage more with parents
We need to provide parents with good examples of what good youth sport looks like. The examples we have now tend to come from the professional level. For example, adult driven examples of what good coaching looks like.
The coach is part of the activity
We need to educate coaches about the important role they have
Coaches can better define their objectives if they are underpinned by the quality of their interactions. For example, objectives for a practice can be co-designed with the young players
A good youth coach can find the link between the behaviours they see and the outcomes that the players are hoping to achieve?
RIP Millie Small
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