Socioprofessional Characterization of Youth Football Coaches in the AF Leiria and AF Santarém Regions

Abstract

Over the years, the skills and competencies necessary for the exercise of the role of sports coach have been described and updated. Recognizing that being a coach implies responsibilities, rights and duties in transforming the social context, the socio-professional analysis of these sports agents provides indicators about who they are and what characteristics have the agents responsible for the development of children and young athletes.

Considering socio-professional variables, this study characterized the youth football coaches enrolled in the Football Association of Leiria (AF Leiria) and in the Football Association of Santarém (AF Santarém), in the sports season 2022-2023. According to data provided by the respective associations, the total study population comprises 760 coaches. Subsequently, the study sample consisted of 391 coaches (192 enrolled in AF Leiria and 199 enrolled in AF Santarém). Data collection took place between February and April 2023, having been collected through the online application (Microsoft Forms) of a questionnaire, which included a total of 33 questions (closed answers to the existing options). The instrument presented a structure composed of an informed consent, an socio-professional characterization area (area 1) and a knowledge and technological mastery area (area 2). Asserting a participation of 51.5% of the coaches of the two Associations, it is observed that: (a) less than 5% of the coaches are female; (b) only 8.7% of coaches are over 49 years old; (c) predominantly, the technical qualifications of the coaches are Grade I and II (only 3.5% have Grade III and IV); (d) 44.6% of coaches have higher education, of which 70% are trained in the field of sports sciences; (e) 13.6% of coaches are also federated players; (f) coaches access the TPTD mainly through the FA coaching courses (61.9%); (g) coaches tend to carry out their activity in the district of residence (88% AF Leiria and 87.9% AF Santarém); (h) about half of the coaches do not have any employment relationship with the clubs and only 25% carry out their activity as a service provider; (i) 15.9% of coaches do not earn any type of monthly salary and 46.5% receive between 50 and 150 euros per month; (j) only 1.3% of coaches earn a salary above 800 euros; (k) 34.5% of coaches simultaneously train two (29.4%) or three teams (5.1%); (l) 82.6% of coaches have a main job and 1.5% are students; (m) 55.8% of coaches have children, and 52.1% are married or in a cohabiting couple relationship; (n) 54.2% of coaches are single and do not have children.

In conclusion, when the various variables are correlated, there are no significant differences in the profile of coaches from AF Leiria and AF Santarém, highlighting in both associations the almost non-existent professionalization in the performance of this activity. Being a youth football coach is, essentially, a voluntary activity.