Abstract
While the nature of sport coaching is understood to be unpredictable and complex (Cushion, Armour, & Jones, 2006), it has been suggested that sport be regarded along more specific contextual lines. Within an understanding that allows youth sport to be either recreational, developmental, or elite, (Trudel & Gilbert, 2006) this study investigates the context of youth recreational soccer coaches. Data was collected through an online survey, and 433 recreational coaches from Eastern Ontario completed the survey. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics through SPSS software (IBM SPSS 19). Findings reveal that the context of youth recreational soccer is in itself more complex than we would think. That is, this research demonstrates the heterogeneity within many components such as the quantity and frequency of: games, practices, tournaments, administrative duties and planning, as well as the differences in coach recruitment and certification requirements within this youth sport context. Based on these results, comparisons between the reality of this recreational sport context and the expectations outlined in the Long Term Player Development Model (LTPD) will be drawn. The LTPD is the Long Term Athlete Development model (LTAD) for the sport of soccer and, as a guide, offers specific guidelines about the structure and context of youth soccer. Finally, implications for sport administrators and for those involved with coach development will be outlined in order to address the coaching needs stemming from the diversity within this popular context.
