What influence does a coach have on motivational climate? An investigation into university level football

Abstract

Motivational climate is often referred to as the environmental status of sport which impacts one’s motivation levels. This study set out to bring light to player and coach perceptions of the influence a coach has on motivational climate to ultimately advance knowledge on motivational climate within university football. Player participants (N = 42) completed a questionnaire with three sections based on the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire, Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Correlational analysis showed a positive and significant correlation between task orientation and task motivation as well as a negative and significant correlation between task orientation and ego orientation. Following a regression analysis for task orientation, ego orientation (p = 0.01) and task motivation (p = 0.02) were significant. In relation to task orientation, the collective results are significant. [F (2,39) = 9.69, p = 0.001, R2 = 0.34]. Following analysis of the questionnaire data, semi-structured interviews took place with university coaches and players (N = 15, Players = 12, Coaches = 3) to examine perceptions of motivational climate. From a thematic analysis of all interview data, three key themes were identified which formed the discussion. All data was discussed in relation to previous research. Dominant theoretical advances included appropriate and often individual feedback from university coaches is crucial to fostering a task-oriented climate and the preservation of relationships being vital to motivating university footballers the way the coach intends. A unique and distinctive finding from previous motivational climate research was the influence of the university football structure regarding player motivation. Theoretical implications include supporting existing literature advising coaches to adopt a task-oriented climate, consider athlete needs, and develop friendly relationships with players to positively influence motivation and self-esteem, adding perspectives from a novel population where there is a difference of certain needs from players regarding motivation which are influenced by feedback given and relationships with their coach and also the university football structure. Implications and recommendations for coaches comprise assessing their players’ needs, fostering a task-oriented climate where possible, providing appropriate feedback involving minimising highlighting individual mistakes, maintaining healthy yet impartial relationships with players and attend every session/match possible. Further review into the influence of attendance of university coaches, the influence and correct use of coach informal relationships with players, their unpaid and part-time nature, along with the differences that team success has on coach influence of motivational climate is recommended by the researcher.

Date of Award	1 Mar 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Abertay University
Supervisor	David Lavallee (Supervisor) & Jonny Glen (Supervisor)