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 UniversityKeith Laikowski – Glasgow University

Katrina Gibbon – Glasgow School of Sport

Objectives

• Relationship between commercial and academic practice

• Problematising internships• Challenges

BackgroundConsultant

Youth Academy Sports Science and Physical Education6 Professional Youth squadsRecruitmentBudgetTesting profileCSR and school engagement

Academic

• GCU• UG + PG• PhD • CPD with NGB (Scottish FA)

Complimentary?Consultant

• Results• Value for money• Club interests come first• Football tag can stick• Financial not political

decision making

Academic

• Research output• Reputation• Aligning with Dean’s vision…• Risk assessment (social

media; conflict)• Bureaucracy and lag

EthnographyExamples

• 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

Critical analysis

Recognising possible subjectivity

The researcher’s role in process

‘Description of direct experiences have now superseded the creation of theories’

SettingActors

• Technical level 4 coaches• Academy manager• Former international players• Interns• Parents• SDO’s• Players

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

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWNClub staff on concept

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

(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??

Swimming against the tide

Parents on programme• 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

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

Evolution

Global perception of club• 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

Perceptions of new interns• This will really improve my

CV• Parents and coaches are

supportive

• Manchester was an incredible experience

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 happyResourcing and adding valueModels of partnershipIncreasing the internship experience

• Thank you