<b>Entering the coaching career and recognition of the coach education agencies. A study of Portuguese coaches’ academic education level and professional experience</b> - doi: 10.4025/reveducfis.v22i2.9622

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the representation of 336 Portuguese coaches about the age and minimum education requirements for accessing the coaching career and the recognition of coaching education agencies in relation to the education level and professional experience. A questionnaire was applied, after construction and content validation. Coaches generally indicated eighteen as the minimum age for accessing the coaching career. As for the minimum education required, the highest values were recorded at category all; only coaches with education in Physical Education and Sport emphasized the importance of higher education level. The coaches considered that the coach education must be developed by all recognized agencies. Coaches with higher education in Physical Education and Sport pointed out the complementarity between the federations and the courses of Physical Education and Sport. The professional experience did not differentiate the representations of coaches.