Paper Title
THE SOCIAL WORK SPORT COACH: NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR A CONTEMPORARY COACHING PEDAGOGYAbstract
This article proposes and critically examines the conceptual model of the “Social Work Sport Coach” (SWSC), a transformative pedagogical framework that integrates core social work principles into the philosophy and practice of sports coaching. Responding to the increasingly complex social, emotional, and developmental needs of athletes in contemporary society, the model positions the coach not merely as a technical-tactical instructor, but as a holistic practitioner operating within a psychosocial ecosystem. Grounded in theories of humanistic coaching, positive youth development, trauma-informed practice, and ecological systems theory, the SWSC model emphasizes values such as person-in-environment, self-determination, strengths-based perspective, cultural humility, and social justice. The article traces the historical evolution of coaching from a command-style, performance-centric model towards more athlete-centred approaches, identifying a convergence with social work’s person-centred ethos. It argues for the formal integration of social work competencies—such as assessment, advocacy, crisis intervention, and ethical boundary management—into coaching pedagogy to better address issues like mental health, identity formation, socioeconomic barriers, and athlete welfare beyond sport. The methodology for developing this conceptual model involves a systematic synthesis of interdisciplinary literature from sports pedagogy, social work, psychology, and sociology. Key challenges to implementation are analysed, including role conflict, credentialing, organizational resistance, and ethical complexities. The article concludes that the SWSC paradigm represents a necessary evolution in coaching education, advocating for collaborative curriculum development, applied research, and policy advocacy to realize a more humane, effective, and socially responsible coaching practice.
KEYWORDS : Social Work Sport Coach, coaching pedagogy, holistic athlete development, trauma-informed coaching, positive youth development, ecological systems theory, coaching ethics, interdisciplinary practice.