What do coaches want? Exploring the preferences of youth rugby union coaches for education in the implementation of injury prevention programmes

Lauren Guilfoyle; Tom Comyns; Kieran O'Sullivan; Ian C Kenny

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2024.12.002

What do coaches want? Exploring the preferences of youth rugby union coaches for education in the implementation of injury prevention programmes

Phys Ther Sport. 2024 Dec 21:72:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2024.12.002. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lauren Guilfoyle¹, Tom Comyns², Kieran O'Sullivan³, Ian C Kenny⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Sport and Human Performance Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: Lauren.Guilfoyle@ul.ie.
² Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Sport and Human Performance Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/Comyns_Tommy.
³ Sport and Human Performance Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Ageing Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/kieranosull.
⁴ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Sport and Human Performance Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Lero, Irish Software Research Centre, University of Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/IanCKenny.

PMID: 39756251
DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2024.12.002

Abstract

Objective: To explore youth Rugby Union coaches' preferences for education and support in the implementation of injury prevention programmes (IPPs).

Methods: Twelve Rugby Union coaches involved with youth teams participated in five online focus groups. Conventional content analysis was used to determine preferences initially from transcripts, and thereafter main categories, generic categories and sub-categories.

Results: Coach preferences were organised into three main categories: 'formal/non-formal learning', 'informal learning', and 'intrapersonal considerations'. The generic categories of 'logistics', 'content' and 'resources' featured substantially in coach preferences for education. Coaches prefer live structured group workshops in the pre-season period, which focus on the development of implicit knowledge. To do this, coaches prefer practical opportunities for coaching within the education session. In support of this education, coaches want resources (both physical and video) which assist in session planning.

Conclusions: The preferences of youth Rugby Union coaches towards IPP education and support are similar to that of other coaching domains. A live practical workshop held in the pre-season is preferred, although facilitator preferences varied. A mismatch is evident between coach preferences for IPP education and what is currently being offered through NGB coach education therefore further exploration of NGB perspectives is warranted.

Keywords: Coaching; Education; Implementation; Injury prevention; Rugby union.