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The role of the entourage in supporting elite athlete performance and educational outcomes / Camilla J. Knight & Chris G. Harwood
Edited by [s.n.] - 2015
The objective of this study was to understand the role of the athletic entourage (e.g., parents, coaches, tutors, sport psychologists) in supporting the dual career of elite adolescent athletes at different developmental stages. A multiple case-study approach was used to examine five cases in the UK: a tennis academy, a football academy, a national field hockey squad, a high performance swimming squad, and an elite canoeing programme. Interviews were conducted with two athletes and their associated entourage from each case. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and within case and cross case analysis was conducted following the qualitative analysis procedures outlined by Miles and Huberman (1994). Analysis resulted in the identification of numerous ways in which the entourage supported athletes. When examining this support across the cases, it was apparent that entourage members were consistent in understanding the demands of a dual career and being flexible in requirements, placing a great value upon education, supporting athletes’ sporting and academic engagement, providing integrated support, engaging in constant communication, educating athletes regarding the demands they would encounter, and trusting athletes to guide their development. With regards to additional support required, financial assistance and further integration and communication were identified across the cases.Phase two of the study (2nd volume), sought to examine the extent to which the findings and recommendations align with the experiences of athletes who have participated in elite sports in other countries. Moreover, in contrast to the data obtained from elite youth participants and their entourage in phase one of the study, phase two sought to obtain the retrospective accounts of elite adult athletes who had achieved at the highest levels (e.g., representing their country at Olympic games and World Championships) in their sport.