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First paper published in DCU and Insight partnership with the Premier League
Are expert coaches identifiable by ticking items from a checklist of desired attributes? Or are they defined by context, specifically how they adapt to specific tasks at hand? How do we measure this ability?
These are the questions posed by the new paper, published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. It is the first published originating from research conducted under the partnership between the DCU and Insight, and the Premier League announced last August. The team of DCU and Insight researchers includes Jamie Taylor, Aine MacNamara and Stephen Behan, as well as collaborators from other universities.
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The partnership is designed to support the Premier League's institutional aim to stage the most competitive and compelling football league in the world, showcasing the most skilful football players from across the globe. Specifically, the research will contribute to the development of more home grown players through more dynamic and innovative coaching.
The paper poses and is structured around three fundamental questions:
1. Do we understand what the coaches with the highest level of expertise can do?
2. How should we identify coaches with expertise across different contexts?
3. What does coaching expertise research need to do?
Drawing the conclusion that there is a lack of empirical research designed to explore expertise and how it is realised in practice, the team identifies evidence informed criteria to identify skilful coaches. The plan forms part of the wider aim to support the Premier League in developing the most skillful coaching workforce in the world.