ABSTRACT
The cultural status of various sports in any society is the product of historical processes. Consequently, individuals involved in those sports, in any capacity, are influenced in many ways by the latter’s cultural standing. Similarly, key aspects of coaching practice are influenced by historically constructed sporting cultural identities. This chapter draws together the fluctuating status of the sports coach and the emergence of sport-related national identities to consider the positive and negative effects that sporting cultural centrality may have on coaches, particularly those involved in so-called national sports. In doing so, the role of the sports coach in history is examined initially. This is followed by a discussion of history and national identity and, in particular, the role of the sports coach within it. The next section further explores this issue by outlining the importance of the socio-cultural context in understanding the current place of the sports coach in society. Finally, a conclusion draws together the principal points highlighted. The value of the chapter lies in
Key sections:
making explicit the social expectations on coaches, particularly those who work at the national level. Such knowledge is important as it can make coaches aware of the boundaries within which they work and the pressures they face, so that they can manage them better.
