Coaching Cultures

Format	Hardcover
ISBN	9780415594080
Publisher	Routledge
Manufacturer	Routledge

This book examines the history of coaching from the early nineteenth century to the late twentieth century. It uses a number of sports as case studies that includes cricket, swimming, rugby union, athletics, football and tennis. The focus is largely English but international examples are used to illuminate the British context. The book explores themes such as the early coaches being professionals, the late nineteenth century elite governing British sport, and the twentieth century embrace of coaching as international competition intensified. In addition, the book looks at the changing nature of coaching as a more scientific and managerial approach was applied. Finally, the book looks at the history of British coaches in relation to the migration of international athletes.

Coaches are amongst the most visible figures in sport today but little is known about the history of their profession. Thisbook examines the history of coaching from the early nineteenth to the late twentieth century. It uses a number of sports as case studies that includes: cricket, swimming, rugby union, athletics, football and tennis. The focus is largely English but international examples are used to illuminate the British context. A number of themes are explored. Initially, in the 1800s, the coach was like an artisan who learned his skills on the job and coaching was similar to a craft. Early coaches were professionals but from the late nineteenth century an amateur elite governed British sport, who inhibited and in some sports banned coaching. As the twentieth century progressed, though, different sports at different stages began to embrace coaching as international competition intensified. In addition, the nature of coaching changed as a more scientific and managerial approach was applied. Finally, in football, the export of early British coaches is examined in light of the migration of international athletes and also as a process of `knowledge transfer'. This book was published as a special issue of Sport in History.