130 likes | 334 Views
Never the twain shall meet? Ethnography of being both academic and private consultant within a professional football internship programme. Challenges and possibilities. ESDN Conference 2013. Edgehill University. Robert Kielty - Glasgow Caledonian University
E N D
Never the twain shall meet? Ethnography of being both academic and private consultant within a professional football internship programme. Challenges and possibilities.ESDN Conference 2013. Edgehill University Robert Kielty - Glasgow Caledonian University Keith Laikowski – Glasgow University Katrina Gibbon – Glasgow School of Sport
Objectives • Relationship between commercial and academic practice • Problematising internships • Challenges
Background Consultant Academic GCU UG + PG PhD CPD with NGB (Scottish FA) Youth Academy Sports Science and Physical Education 6 Professional Youth squads Recruitment Budget Testing profile CSR and school engagement
Complimentary? Consultant Academic Research output Reputation Aligning with Dean’s vision… Risk assessment (social media; conflict) Bureaucracy and lag • Results • Value for money • Club interests come first • Football tag can stick • Financial not political decision making
Ethnography Examples Critical analysis Recognising possible subjectivity The researcher’s role in process ‘Description of direct experiences have now superseded the creation of theories’ • Sparkes (1992, 1995, 2009) more than the visual • Jones (2009, 2003) – Coach perceptions at elite level (football) • Harris (2009) - women’s football experiences (university) • Woodward (2002) – understanding identity
Setting Actors Stage Training area Changing rooms In service workshops Staff nights out SFL games Car journey home Personal notes Semi structured interviews 3 year data collection period • Technical level 4 coaches • Academy manager • Former international players • Interns • Parents • SDO’s • Players
FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN Club staff on concept (some) coaches on delivery Right boys listen now to this nonsense Fiona is going to do her girlie thing now Sport scientists couldn’t trap a beach ball in a phone box Any medals?? how much will this cost? we have no staff - do we need this pish? cant you just sign the form? Fucking sport science shite Fucking college boys This is the last thing the club need
Swimming against the tide Parents on programme Players on programme I’m nervous on a Monday because of the intensity Love it –especially seeing the results pinned up My mum has a new cooking book • Structured and challenging • At last, professionalism has arrived at EEP • Should have happened years ago • My son has a focus now • Its your bag, I wont interfere • (technical) coaches take note
Evolution Global perception of club Perceptions of new interns This will really improve my CV Parents and coaches are supportive Manchester was an incredible experience • Autonomy – how can we grow it for next year • Part of the furniture –trusting, enthusiastic and above all reliable • CSR – Yes, you could use the stadium for your conference
Problematising Internships • BASES consensus statement implications • Football clubs know that interns will work for free and there is a waiting list… • Lack of governing body direction • Whilst very valuable, internship models are down the food chain • Making it up as you go along… • Is it volunteering ?
Problematising football • Little research in this area • ‘Where are the examples from industry’ Houlahan (2011) • Evidence based practices in (Scottish) football are scarce • Commercial football is far removed from state intervention (and benefits)
Challenges Keeping everyone and everything happy Resourcing and adding value Models of partnership Increasing the internship experience