The Influence of Coaching Behaviours on Gaelic Athletic Association Inter-county Hurling Players

Coady, Colette (2014) The Influence of Coaching Behaviours on Gaelic Athletic Association Inter-county Hurling Players. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This study is focusses on the athlete-coach relationship, and how the coach can influence the athlete’s scale of motivation. The research design is a case study of two Gaelic Athletic Association Inter-county Hurling Teams. Six Inter-county hurling Players (IHPs) participated in semi-structured open-ended interviews. Three players from each team were asked about their hurling experiences and why they play. The type of psychological contract the players have formed with their coach was assessed throughout the interviews. Also discussed were the player expectations of the coach and possible consequences if the expectations were not reached. In combination with the interviews direct observation was made of both teams during separate competitive matches. An assessment of the player’s responses to coach behaviour was made.

The results posited that the IHPs are both intrinsically motivated they enjoy playing, and are extrinsically motivated, they want to win. It was also found that a negative coach action would promote a negative IHP response and a positive coach action would endorse a positive IHP response.

Aspects of amotivation were experienced when the IHPs felt they weren’t communicated with effectually. The IHPs felt least communicated with when they didn’t gain a place on the team for match day. Furthermore, whilst initially disappointed the players commented it would make them ‘work harder’ to get a place on the ‘starting’ fifteen.

The research also discovered the motivational influence of team-mates and family and friends on the IHPs. All of the IHPs interviewed expressed a high level of commitment to their team-mates. Some IHPs spoke about what it meant to their families for them to see the IHPs playing for the county. This was a very influential extrinsic motivator for two of the IHPs.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > Sports
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Claire Wallnutt
Date Deposited:	14 Nov 2014 17:47
Last Modified:	14 Nov 2014 18:28
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/1754

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