never the twain shall meet? ethnography of being both academic and private consultant within a...
TRANSCRIPT
Never the twain shall meet? Ethnography of being both academic and private consultant
within a professional football internship programme. Challenges and possibilities.
ESDN Conference 2013. Edgehill University
Robert Kielty - Glasgow Caledonian UniversityKeith Laikowski – Glasgow University
Katrina Gibbon – Glasgow School of Sport
Objectives
• Relationship between commercial and academic practice
• Problematising internships• Challenges
BackgroundConsultant
Youth Academy Sports Science and Physical Education6 Professional Youth squadsRecruitmentBudgetTesting profileCSR and school engagement
Academic
• GCU• UG + PG• PhD • CPD with NGB (Scottish FA)
Complimentary?Consultant
• Results• Value for money• Club interests come first• Football tag can stick• Financial not political
decision making
Academic
• Research output• Reputation• Aligning with Dean’s vision…• Risk assessment (social
media; conflict)• Bureaucracy and lag
EthnographyExamples
• Sparkes (1992, 1995, 2009) more than the visual
• Jones (2009, 2003) – Coach perceptions at elite level (football)
• Harris (2009) - women’s football experiences (university)
• Woodward (2002) – understanding identity
Critical analysis
Recognising possible subjectivity
The researcher’s role in process
‘Description of direct experiences have now superseded the creation of theories’
SettingActors
• Technical level 4 coaches• Academy manager• Former international players• Interns• Parents• SDO’s• Players
Stage
• Training area• Changing rooms• In service workshops• Staff nights out• SFL games• Car journey home• Personal notes• Semi structured interviews
• 3 year data collection period
FEAR OF THE UNKNOWNClub staff on concept
how much will this cost?
we have no staff - do we need this pish?
cant you just sign the form?
Fucking sport science shite Fucking college boys
This is the last thing the club need
(some) coaches on delivery
Right boys listen now to this nonsense
Fiona is going to do her girlie thing now
Sport scientists couldn’t trap a beach ball in a phone box
Any medals??
Swimming against the tide
Parents on programme• Structured and challenging• At last, professionalism has
arrived at EEP• Should have happened
years ago• My son has a focus now• Its your bag, I wont interfere• (technical) coaches take
note
Players on programme• I’m nervous on a Monday
because of the intensity• Love it –especially seeing
the results pinned up• My mum has a new cooking
book
Evolution
Global perception of club• Autonomy – how can we
grow it for next year
• Part of the furniture –trusting, enthusiastic and above all reliable
• CSR – Yes, you could use the stadium for your conference
Perceptions of new interns• This will really improve my
CV• Parents and coaches are
supportive
• Manchester was an incredible experience
Problematising Internships
• BASES consensus statement implications• Football clubs know that interns will work for
free and there is a waiting list…• Lack of governing body direction• Whilst very valuable, internship models are
down the food chain• Making it up as you go along…• Is it volunteering ?
Problematising football
• Little research in this area• ‘Where are the examples from industry’ Houlahan
(2011)• Evidence based practices in (Scottish) football are
scarce• Commercial football is far removed from state
intervention (and benefits)
Challenges
Keeping everyone and everything happyResourcing and adding valueModels of partnershipIncreasing the internship experience
• Thank you