ABSTRACT
This chapter examines existing critical Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) literature to provide an understanding of the role of coaches in sport-based social interventions, their function within such programs, and their impact on achieving program objectives. Additionally, the author provides reflexive accounts of long-term fieldwork, research, and programming in former conflict settings to further the understanding of the role of coaches as part of community-based research and SDP program design and implementation for children and youth in former armed conflict settings. Understanding the role of coaches is complicated due to their varied experiences and engagement within a wide range of programming. In order to create a more defined role, more detailed examples through research and practical experiences can broaden our contextual understanding of coaches, and how best to utilize them as an important resource partner.
