Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book addresses the coaching landscape and coverage of topics ranging from ‘the professionalization of sport coaching, ‘working within culturally diverse environments’, and ‘talent development considerations’. It provides a focus on welfare issues in coaching, where ‘safeguarding, child protection, and abuse’, ‘ethics and moral behaviour’ and ‘mental health literacy’. The book examines challenges in the workplace ‘managing groups and cliques’, ‘environment considerations for the injured athlete’, and ‘working effectively within an interdisciplinary team’. It aims to assemble a collection of in-depth literature reviews on key areas that have potential to influence the coaching profession and associated academic focus.